Governor to review security at Parklea Correction Centre after latest breach in privately-run jail
A GOVERNOR will be put in charge of Parklea Correction Centre for an overall review of security, following a You Tube video by one of the inmates showing him with a knife, razor and drugs.
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A GOVERNOR will be put in charge of Parklea Correction Centre for an overall review of security, following a You Tube video by one of the inmates showing him with a knife, razor and drugs.
The governor, to be appointed by Corrective Services (CSNSW) Commissioner Peter Severin, is expected to complete his review of the privately-run prison within four weeks.
The inmate claimed staff are smuggling mobile phones into the centre, which is run by GEO. In On December 22 last year, an inmate allegedly stole a set of jail keys as he was being released from Parklea prison, in an embarrassing security bungle which led to a number of locks having to be changed.
Corrections Minister David Elliott said he was “horrified” by the video while Mr Severin said it was a very grave issue after his meeting with the management of GEO Group.
“This is a very serious matter,” Commissioner Severin said.
“I have met with GEO, and told them I am sending in a public sector governor to lead a review of the centre.
“The governor will lead a team that will oversee all major decisions made by GEO management and also review practices there.”
Mr Elliott, who is on leave, said in a statement: “I was horrified when I saw the video and immediately called for an investigation.
“No stone will be left unturned. I have asked CSNSW to review the contract to see what penalties could be imposed if there has been a failure by the operator.”
The Public Service Association, the union covering NSW prison officers, said there is “no transparency or accountability in private prisons.
“The only way we find out about these issues is by inmates filming themselves — what sort of system is that?” PSA general secretary Stewart Little said.
“There is no transparency or accountability in private prisons. No private company should be profiting from crime.
“These poorly managed, under resourced prisons are just incubators for worse problems that are later unleashed back into society.
“Society can’t afford to privatise prisons,” said Stewart Little.
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