Rockhampton Jail internal review findings released in report

As 45 prisoners were charged for their alleged involvement in the October Code Black riot, findings of an internal review of the culture of the Capricornia Correctional Centre were released. Here’s are just some of the findings.

Deputy Commissioner of Queensland Corrective Services Gary McCahon.

The findings of an independent review into the work culture of the Capricornia Correctional Centre have been released, after a review was launched in July last year.

The review findings came on the same day 45 prisoners were charged for their alleged involvement in the October 21 Code Black riot at the centre, which was dubbed the worst incident in its history.

The independent report, which was conducted by Evexia, allowed correctional officers at the prison to anonymously raise issues or concerns about the operation of the centre as it underwent “transformation” which included a significant expansion.

About 102 officers participated in the review.

General Manager of the Capricornia Correctional Centre Chief Superintendent Richard Butcher said while there were positives in the report, there were areas of concern which the prison “absolutely must address”.

“These include creating a much clearer vision, purpose and sense of direction for this centre,” he said.

“That’s particularly important give the transformation and development its undergone in the last two years...it talks about the need for us to engage with our front line officers, and when I say officers I mean all roles and ranks within the centre.”

He said in the past two years more than 200 new custodial officers had been employed at the centre and the ratio of experienced and inexperienced officers had lessened.

“We need to look at different ways to ensure our new staff, who enter one of the most difficult and complex working environments, are more supported,” he said.

“We need to respect diversity more and need to establish clear standards of acceptable behaviour and ensure we have the confidence as individuals and as a centre to address inappropriate behaviours.”

Chief Superintendent Butcher said Evexia representatives had visited the prison earlier this year to deliver their findings to management and work groups.

He said the representatives had noticed a difference in the prison culture between the start of the report and the delivery of it.

“I certainly have noticed in my 12 month tenure at the prison, and have seen and felt a change in the culture for the better,” he said.

“It’s important we take on board the recommendations of the review, and we’re now in the process of creating a road map in consultation with staff at bringing actions that will create a more positive culture at the centre in the future.

“As Chief Superintendent I’m motivated to lead that change, as I’ve said to my officers on many occasions we all define what Capricornia is and we all have a responsibility through our actions to ensure Capricornia Correctional Centre can be the best it can be.”

On diversity, Chief Superintendent Butcher said it was the job of himself and the leadership team to “draw the line” for what was and wasn’t acceptable.

“Poor cultures have a low standard of acceptable behaviour, positive cultures have a high standard and it is one of my jobs in the senior leadership team to be very clear about where that line is,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Queensland Corrective Services Gary McCahon.

“I think once we’ve drawn that line and staff have a clear understanding of where it is, we need to empower staff to take personal responsibility to police their own workplace.

“I like the principle of active bystanding which is a way of addressing inappropriate behaviour, it is linked to domestic violence but can equally be applied to any inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, so I’ve been working had to develop that concept of being an active bystander.

“Also I think we need to empower individuals who feel if they’ve been disrespected or feel they’ve been bullied in someway they have an avenue to address that personally and most importantly feel safe to do that.”

Queensland Corrective Services Deputy Commissioner Gary McCahon visited the Capricornia Correctional Centre to speak to prison officers about the findings and recommendations in the report.

“The review is an opportunity to draw a line under historical issues and move forward with a clear plan for addressing these and building a healthy, safe and inclusive work culture,” he said.

“Queensland Corrective Services is already working on strategies to support the general manager, Chief Superintendent Richard Butcher, as he and his leadership team forge a way forward.

“It is unsurprising that Chief Superintendent Butcher and his leadership team have not waited to receive this report, but have already commenced broad consultation with the staffing group on a positive culture framework, including a road map of activity and ongoing actions.

“As an agency, our focus now is on ensuring that Capricornia Correctional Centre has a clear road map to implement the improvements identified by the report, and ensuring we provide appropriate centralised support for their efforts.”