NSW prisoners make record numbers of complaints about living standards behind bars

NSW prisoners are making record numbers of complaints about the standards of living behind bars as advocates push for Corrective Services to take action.

Unhappy prisoners are making record numbers of complaints about the standards of living behind bars with poor access to phones and computers among their biggest grievances.

New figures have revealed adult inmates in the state’s correctional centres raised a record 8513 complaints in the last financial year – a staggering 87 per increase from the 4550 complaints received in the previous year.

The complaints covered a range of topics ranging from groups about the mundane ‘routine’ of correction centre environments to complaints about ‘unfair treatment’.

Complaints about medical issues accounted for almost 20 per cent of the overall number of gripes with 1617 complaints lodged in the last year.

The second most complained about issue was phone access with 950 complaints followed by prison facilities with 416 complaints.

Complaints from adult inmates about NSW prisons are on the rise.

A recently introduced scheme that has put tablet computers into the hands of prison inmates, allowing them to make calls and access news, also generated 360 complaints last year – a more than three-fold increase from the 108 complaints in the previous year.

Complaints about food, property and activities on offer for inmates also saw an increase in the previous year.

There were also 267 complaints about access to mail, 192 complaints about money and 303 complaints about video link connections, which enable inmates to dial in from prisons to court hearings.

The figures, published by the Inspector of Custodial Services, show inmates at juvenile correctional centres made a further 348 complaints in the last financial year – a decrease of 17 complaints from the 365 recorded in the previous 12 month period.

A photo taken during a recent inspection of Lithgow prison.

The standards of prison facilities accounted for more than 400 complaints.

The complaints were recorded as part of the state’s ‘prison visitors’ program which involves independent representatives visiting custodial centres to examine conditions and take complaints from inmates.

A report by the Inspectors of Custodial Services stated the majority of complaints raised by inmates were “resolved at the centre level” while a small number of unresolved matters were referred to the Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW for follow-up action.

The figures show some complaint categories have decreased over the last two years including complaints related to property and buy-up programs.

More than 8000 complaints were lodged by inmates in NSW last year.

Corrective Services NSW declined to say what factors could be contributing to the overall increase in complaints within adult correctional centres.

A spokesman for Corrective Services NSW said “the wellbeing and safety of those in our custody is of the utmost important” and the department “take all complaints seriously.”

“CSNSW is actively encouraging all inmates to make use of the confidential official visitor program and to raise any issues with them so they can be addressed,” he said.

“We will continue to investigate and, where appropriate, action the small number of outstanding matters.”

Justice Action co-ordinator Brett Collins – a former inmate who now campaigns for prisoners’ rights – said he was not surprised by the rising number of complaints.

“We’re fielding issues not only from prisoners but their family members as well,” he said.

“Corrective Services says they’re improving services but in reality we’re hearing about people not having access to education or having to wait months for basic health appointments.”

Mark Taylor said the issues leading to complaints could be exacerbated by job losses and staff shortages within the state’s prison system.

“The rise in complaints is a significant concern and it comes at the same time when there are numerous issues regarding job losses of corrective services officers and wings closing in prisons across the state,” he said.

“We’re concerned if they lose experienced officers the interaction between inmates and officers will result in more complaints being raised

“The minister needs to explain why the complaints have increased and what action he proposes to reduce the complaints.”

Corrective Services Minister Anoulack Chanthivong in a statement said: “Prison isn’t supposed to be easy but this work, ensuring that there are appropriate pathways for inmates to raise serious concerns, is critical.”

“This is important work helping to keep our prisons safe for staff and inmates,” he said.

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