Clamp downs in Tasmanian prison system following escape

As a review of Tasmania’s minimum security facility is underway a Hobart barrister has raised concerns about the prison system.

Attorney-General Elise Archer. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

SERIOUS criminals who’ve gained minimum security status are being hauled back to maximum security cells, in a government push to avoid more prison breaks, says a leading Hobart barrister.

The Mercury understands Attorney-General Elise Archer has directed minimum-security prisoners be moved back into maximum security lockup after the escape of Risdon Prison detainee Graham Ennis last week.

It comes as an “urgent review” is undertaken of the prison amid revelations about the “outdated” and “substandard” Ron Barwick Minimum Security Prison, from which Ennis slipped past prison guards, leading to a large-scale land and sea search.

But the move to haul prisoners back to maximum security at Ms Archer’s direction has been described as a “lunatic” decision by Tasmanian Prisoners Legal Service chair Greg Barns, who says riots, violence, more escapes or even deaths could result from over-cramming maximum security facilities.

“In light of the escape, her instructions are basically that anyone in minimum who have committed murders or very serious crimes and who’ve worked their way through the system are now banned from doing that and are now being placed in maximum security,” Mr Barns said.

“I’ve had two prisoners’ families ring me to say ‘my son has been shanghaied back into maximum’.

“This is dangerous micromanaging by a woman who has got no experience in dealing with prisoners or prison management.

“If there are riots and if there are escapes or violence as a result of prisoners being overcrowded, it will be on her head.”

Mr Barns said Ms Archer simply needed to review procedures to minimise escapes.

“I can tell you, staff will be horrified by this, as will be prisoners’ families, and rightly so,” he said.

After the escape, Ms Archer requested a review of the prisoner classification system, in a bid to improve community safety, adding “any escape is completely unacceptable”, while Premier Will Hodgman promised the government would increase security.

A spokesman said Attorney-General Elise Archer was unable to comment while the review was under way.

The Justice Department was also contacted for comment.