1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,200 Speaker 1: We know that, as discussed earlier in the week, the 2 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:05,520 Speaker 1: former youth detention center is set to be knocked down 3 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: a tender release this week for the demolition of that building. 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:12,440 Speaker 2: But we know the youth detention Center don Dale. 5 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: That is currently being used it is going to be 6 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:19,680 Speaker 1: repurposed for adult corrections and it's I guess it's a 7 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: bit for people to take in. We did discuss this 8 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:23,840 Speaker 1: further this morning on the week that was and it 9 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:26,360 Speaker 1: made it a little bit clearer. But joining me in 10 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: the studio this morning to talk a little bit more 11 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 1: about how our correctional facilities are currently tracking, but also 12 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:36,200 Speaker 1: about the appointment of the new Deputy Commissioner. Well, joining 13 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:39,319 Speaker 1: us in the studio right now is the Commissioner and 14 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 1: that is Matthew Varley. 15 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 2: Good morning to you. 16 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:43,919 Speaker 3: Good morning Katie, and of. 17 00:00:43,880 --> 00:00:48,080 Speaker 1: Course we've got doctor Yolanda Adams and you are the 18 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:49,199 Speaker 1: new Deputy Commissioner. 19 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:50,720 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for your time this morning. 20 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 4: Thank you, Kenny. 21 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 3: Great to be here. 22 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: Now, Yolanda, we might go to you first. I know 23 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: that you've just stepped into the role and it is 24 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: really your first interview since become the Deputy commissioner. 25 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 2: How is it all going I suppose. 26 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:07,199 Speaker 4: First off, Yeah, I'm so excited to be a part 27 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 4: of anti correctional services. I think it's a real opportunity 28 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:13,679 Speaker 4: to be able to do something very different, and I'm 29 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:15,759 Speaker 4: looking forward to being part of the neuroforms as we're 30 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 4: going forward. 31 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, and look, I guess we know that at this 32 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 1: point in time, corrections is certainly a very busy place. 33 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 2: There is no doubt about that. 34 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:27,400 Speaker 1: But you've got a wealth of experience or a background 35 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:31,319 Speaker 1: in clinical programs of fender services and a strategic and 36 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: practical At a strategic and practical level, but you've also 37 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 1: got expertise in growing our offender development, rehabilitation and reintegration capabilities. 38 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 1: And I think that for a lot of people listening 39 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 1: this morning, that's going to be a good. 40 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 2: Thing to hear. 41 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 1: Everybody understands that some people are going to need to 42 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: spend time in correctional facilities, but when they come out, 43 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 1: they want to make sure that they have got better 44 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: options that they're able to reintegrate into the community. So 45 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: how do you play to use that experience to sort 46 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: of hopefully make that happen. 47 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 5: Yeah. 48 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:09,679 Speaker 4: So I'm a professional psychologist registered for about twenty three 49 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 4: years I'm Alarikiir woman, so born and raised in Darwin 50 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:16,680 Speaker 4: and very happy to be, as I said, working with corrections. 51 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:19,280 Speaker 4: I guess my experience and expertise that I bring to 52 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 4: this position is icy is and valuable in terms of 53 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 4: how we shape our future programs, how we bring all 54 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,359 Speaker 4: the pieces of the prisons together so that we can 55 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,800 Speaker 4: have a model that is more contextualized for the population 56 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 4: in the Northern Territory. So, you know, we really want 57 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 4: to make sure that the programs that we develop are 58 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 4: really relevant to our highest numbers of prisoners Abrajeon Tasra, 59 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 4: all under people, So we want to make sure that 60 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:50,320 Speaker 4: it's tailored to that population. 61 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 1: And so then with your background obviously as a Lara 62 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 1: Kiir woman, but somebody who's born and raised in the 63 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 1: Northern Territory as well, I think that that's such a 64 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:02,320 Speaker 1: huge thing. You're hoping that your background is you know, 65 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:06,760 Speaker 1: is able to hopefully see some change in this space, 66 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: particularly when you talk about the high rates of incarceration 67 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 1: amongst original people in the end. 68 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 4: To yeah, sure. So I come with a range of expertise, 69 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 4: so mental health. 70 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:19,799 Speaker 2: I've worked in. 71 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 4: Corrections previously as a psychologist. I also come with some 72 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 4: international experience as well, so I've worked in the Canadian 73 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 4: correctional system as well as the healing lodges over there, 74 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 4: So there is some evidence based models out there already. 75 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 4: I've just recently gained my PhD and that was specifically 76 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 4: looking at anti prisons and around prison social climate. So, 77 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 4: you know, with all of that together and looking at 78 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 4: programs that are more relevant, it's about how do we 79 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 4: actually bring an evidence based model into programs with that 80 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 4: cultural lens around the design and the delivery of those programs. 81 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 1: And how long have you been in the role currently, 82 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: Is it just a few. 83 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 4: Weeks it's coming up to three months? 84 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, right, so it has been a little while, no 85 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 1: doubt you've hit the ground running. And have you sort 86 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 1: of seen anything that you're thinking to yourself straight away, Okay, 87 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:12,920 Speaker 1: I'd like to make some in roads in this space. 88 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 4: Yeah, they sure is. So my responsibility is to oversee 89 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:21,680 Speaker 4: operations directions. So what that means is community corrections, our 90 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 4: programs and also our custodial operations. So what I will 91 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,599 Speaker 4: like to achieve or as a team is to actually 92 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 4: look at how we integrate all those three portfolio areas 93 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 4: so that we can work towards a model of rehabilitation 94 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:40,280 Speaker 4: for our offenders to be able to successfully reintegrate back 95 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:44,159 Speaker 4: into the community and hopefully to reduce those reciptivism rates. 96 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's what everybody. That's what everybody really wants, isn't it. 97 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 1: When people do spend time in prison, you hope that 98 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: they're able to come out better humans and maybe even 99 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 1: armed with some skills to be able to reintegrate into 100 00:04:55,960 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 1: the community in a more effective way where you're actually contributing. 101 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 2: To the community. 102 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:07,040 Speaker 1: Commissioner, how are our numbers tracking at the moment in 103 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: our correctional facilities. 104 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 5: Katie, We remain full, we remain under pressure, and you know, 105 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 5: you and I've spoken about those numbers only a few 106 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 5: weeks ago. We have about six hundred and eighty in 107 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:23,320 Speaker 5: Alice Springs and thirteen seventy this morning in Darwin, and 108 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 5: we have our t work camps that are at capacity, 109 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,279 Speaker 5: so we are significantly under pressure and we've been juggling 110 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:33,599 Speaker 5: those numbers, you know, every day. We have overflow into 111 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 5: those watchhouses that we've spoken about still and one of 112 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,039 Speaker 5: the tricky pieces that we've been managing in the last 113 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:42,600 Speaker 5: few weeks with corporation from police is also some prisoners 114 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 5: on remand being held into the Ala Springs Watchhouse, and 115 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:48,160 Speaker 5: that is not a permanent solution. 116 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 3: That's just something we're. 117 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 5: Managing as we deal with admissions and discharges into the 118 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:53,200 Speaker 5: main and Alur Springs facility. 119 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:56,159 Speaker 1: So in terms of the numbers that we've got on 120 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: remand at the moment, how are those percentages looking, are 121 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 1: they still quite high? 122 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 5: They are, They're about forty five to forty six percent 123 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 5: at the moment of our total population. So this morning 124 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 5: we have nine hundred and eighty two people on demand, Katie. 125 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 5: Now that's a lot. We're nudging that thousand figure. We 126 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:16,320 Speaker 5: have two two hundred and forty eight prisoners in the 127 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 5: Northern Territory today. So as you can see, it's you 128 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 5: know a lot of people sitting on remand a lot 129 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 5: of people waiting their day in court, and those decisions 130 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:29,360 Speaker 5: are made by judges and we hold those people until 131 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 5: their trial or their. 132 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 3: Court hearing dates. 133 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 5: The challenges of course, as that number grows, that is 134 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 5: putting significant pressure right across our system. 135 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 3: And so we know that that number has been growing. 136 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,279 Speaker 5: It's the single contributor, I suppose to our growth over 137 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 5: the last sort of twelve to eight eight months, and 138 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 5: we have had about three hundred more prisoners enter the 139 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 5: system in the last twenty or so months, and that's 140 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:53,920 Speaker 5: really part of the pressure that we're dealing with that's 141 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:56,360 Speaker 5: brought about these new changes for new facilities. 142 00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:59,560 Speaker 2: I mean, they're huge numbers of people on remand. 143 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 1: Are our numbers of people that are on remand comparatively 144 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: to other states, are they quite high or is that 145 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 1: something that you see in other places too? 146 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:08,280 Speaker 3: It varies. 147 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 5: We see some commonalities with other jurisdictions. I was down 148 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 5: meeting with the WA and South Australian Commissioners for Corrections 149 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 5: only this week. Earlier this week, South Australia I think 150 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,040 Speaker 5: is sitting around forty five to forty six percent too. 151 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 3: It's something that some. 152 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 5: Jurisdictions most well, a few jurisdictions are the outliers, but 153 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 5: most jurisdictions have seen an uptick in Roman numbers since 154 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 5: the end of the pandemic YEP. I think there's a 155 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 5: whole range of factors behind that. But for us here 156 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 5: in the Northern Territory, the primary driver has been assault, 157 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,679 Speaker 5: aggravated assault, domestic violence and alcohol related violence. 158 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:45,679 Speaker 1: I mean, like it's real, it is a real worry 159 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: in terms of the numbers that we are saying. I 160 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 1: know that a lot of work is now happening to 161 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: really make sure that we've got further capacity for those prisoners. 162 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:59,120 Speaker 1: We've got a few different modulars and things that were 163 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: coming online that I've think think you and I spoke 164 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 1: about last time. 165 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 2: How theyre going currently. 166 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 5: So they're under construction. The concrete's been poured for the foundations. 167 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 5: I saw that a week ago in Alice Springs. The 168 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 5: construction for those modulars is progressing. We're still on track 169 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:15,560 Speaker 5: for those by midyear. 170 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 3: The modulars are on site. So now the. 171 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 5: Contractor is managing the groundworks and the foundations, and we 172 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 5: should start seeing those modulars hoisted over the fence and 173 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 5: dropped into position very soon. 174 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: And then when we talk about don Dale, it's going 175 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: to be coming online or repurpose for adult corrections. The 176 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 1: Chief Minister had said to us earlier in the week 177 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,080 Speaker 1: that she is hoping that the new Youth Justice facility 178 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 1: is going to be up and running. I think it 179 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 1: was by the end of June, so that hopefully then 180 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: the old don Dale is able to be repurposed and 181 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:52,959 Speaker 1: utilized rather quickly, hopefully for adult corrections. Do you have 182 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:55,959 Speaker 1: a bit of an eta on when it will come online. 183 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 5: Well, as you've said, we expect Territory Families to vacate 184 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:05,720 Speaker 5: that building by midyear. We're working with Dipple and architects 185 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 5: and engineers now on options. 186 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:09,719 Speaker 3: To upgrade that facility. 187 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 5: Let's remember that it was the old Beerham of prison before, 188 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 5: so you know we've had a look at it. I've 189 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:18,080 Speaker 5: been in there, Docor Adams has been in there, some 190 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 5: of my team have been in there with Dipple, and 191 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:23,920 Speaker 5: you might remember from my days at Territory Families I 192 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 5: was responsible for Youth Justice, so I know. 193 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 3: The facility pretty well. 194 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:30,480 Speaker 5: Our view is that it can be brought online as 195 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 5: a male sentenced prison reasonably quickly. Now there's some work 196 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 5: attached to security upgrades and some changes to the way 197 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:42,720 Speaker 5: we want to run the site. I hope that we'd 198 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:44,439 Speaker 5: be able to have that operational by the end of 199 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:44,760 Speaker 5: the year. 200 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:46,960 Speaker 1: Yeah. Right, So what are those changes that you're hoping 201 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:48,959 Speaker 1: to sort of have so that you are able to 202 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:50,960 Speaker 1: utilize it in the way that you're wanting to. 203 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:51,320 Speaker 3: Yeah. 204 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 5: So, for example, the first thing we're going to do 205 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 5: is do a top to bottom security assessment. The custody 206 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 5: of adult prisoners is slightly different to children, and we 207 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:05,320 Speaker 5: have a range of measures that our team will go 208 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 5: in and assess pretty soon. Also, we're going to look 209 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 5: at things so, for example, we want to make sure 210 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:14,520 Speaker 5: that we can self sustain our prisoner population in there, 211 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 5: so we put some men in there to do their 212 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 5: programs and their education and their skills training. We want 213 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 5: them to be able to cook, we want them to 214 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 5: be able to clean, we want them to make sure 215 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:25,720 Speaker 5: that they've got the right common areas available. Now, the 216 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 5: way in which the children's facility runs is different to 217 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 5: the way we would run it. Yeah, so our job 218 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 5: will be to make sure we've got those facilities right 219 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 5: for our adult prisoners. For example, you know, the children 220 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 5: in there don't cook their own meals. Our prisoners do. 221 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 5: So there's things like that. 222 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:43,319 Speaker 2: We can do and things like that. 223 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:45,839 Speaker 1: I mean, for adult corrections, you would think absolutely should 224 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: be happening right if they're able to be self sufficient 225 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 1: and operational. I think that that is absolutely the way 226 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:52,720 Speaker 1: that a lot of people listening would hope that it 227 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: is going on. 228 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:56,439 Speaker 5: Well, that's right, and you know, all of our current sites, 229 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 5: the two prisons and the two work camps have kitchens. 230 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 5: Our prisoners will work in those kitchens, those laundries and 231 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 5: those other integral facilities every day. Darwin Correctional Center Katie 232 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 5: has a massive industrial kitchen. We churn out over three 233 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 5: thousand meals a day wow. 234 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:14,439 Speaker 1: And again rightly, so you know, if it can be 235 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:17,319 Speaker 1: self sufficient and the prisoners are able to do that, 236 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:19,400 Speaker 1: that is absolutely what should be happening. 237 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 3: Absolutely right. 238 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:22,679 Speaker 5: And you know we have prisoners engaged in employment right 239 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 5: across the prison. It's not often spoken about and it's 240 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 5: not well publicized. We think we can do better in 241 00:11:27,559 --> 00:11:29,760 Speaker 5: that regard. But you know, that's part of our new 242 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:32,520 Speaker 5: arrangement with Charles Darwin UNI as well, is you know, 243 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 5: not only are they working, but they're getting skills and 244 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 5: quals as well while they're in there, so people can 245 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:39,040 Speaker 5: do you know, certificates in. 246 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 3: Hospitality and catering. 247 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 5: We have people who do certificates in woodworking and other 248 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 5: metalworking skills. And we have a very active industries portfolio 249 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 5: as well, so we have workshops where people can gain 250 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 5: those trade skills. Now, part of this government's instruction to 251 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:59,960 Speaker 5: me is that they want to see those industries facility 252 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 5: is upgraded and improved over time, and that's also part 253 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 5: of the review we'll be doing in the next financial year. 254 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,000 Speaker 1: Okay, so it does sound like there's a bit of 255 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:09,559 Speaker 1: work to get under way, can I ask, as World Commissioner. 256 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:12,839 Speaker 1: I know that there had been some discussion a little 257 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 1: earlier this morning, in fact, on the week that was 258 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: about the current adult corrections here in Darwin, about whether 259 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 1: the damage that was caused I think it was actually 260 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 1: I can't remember exactly what it was that right, that 261 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 1: happened a little while back, Whether that has now been 262 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: fixed yep. 263 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:29,440 Speaker 5: So the building you're talking about there, Katie, is what 264 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 5: we refer to as Sector two into the Darwin Correctional Center. 265 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 3: Now that's code for. 266 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,600 Speaker 5: A building that is designated at our programs, education and 267 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,559 Speaker 5: office administration block. It's right smack bang in the middle 268 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,200 Speaker 5: of the Darwen Prison and it operates almost as kind 269 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 5: of like a crossroads from a range of the prison 270 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 5: accommodation sectors and the prisoners move along those pathways to 271 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 5: Sector two and they come in there for their programs 272 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 5: and their education classes. 273 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 3: It's not an accommodation block. 274 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 5: I just want to make that really clear, and it 275 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:01,319 Speaker 5: also encompasses something we call movement control, which is our 276 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:04,079 Speaker 5: centralized harb I spose for prisoners moving around the prison. 277 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:06,320 Speaker 3: That occurred are the. 278 00:13:06,360 --> 00:13:09,320 Speaker 5: Right you're referring to, occurred in May twenty twenty. The 279 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 5: construction has been well progressed. In fact, I saw it 280 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 5: the other day. We expect that building to be back 281 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:17,679 Speaker 5: online by end of financial year. 282 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 3: It's ready to go. 283 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:20,839 Speaker 1: Okay, So is it having any impact in terms of 284 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 1: some of the programs being delivered with that area still 285 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:25,840 Speaker 1: being under construction, Yeah, it. 286 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:28,719 Speaker 5: Has, and that's something we've been working around for a 287 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 5: few years now. Obviously, we installed some temporary classrooms in 288 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:34,440 Speaker 5: other parts. 289 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:35,440 Speaker 3: Of the facility. 290 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:37,840 Speaker 5: It's not been ideal and it has slowed us down, 291 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:40,440 Speaker 5: and that's why you see some of our program numbers 292 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 5: have been under pressure the last couple of years. 293 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 3: We've been quite open about that. 294 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 5: But that facility has been an eighteen month reconstruction project. 295 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:51,400 Speaker 5: It will be basically well has been basically gutted and 296 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 5: it'll be rebuilt and it's expected to be back online 297 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 5: by the middle of the year. 298 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:58,240 Speaker 1: End of financial year, which is a good thing. I 299 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:01,319 Speaker 1: think if you can get those programs back, were able 300 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 1: to be utilized in those locations, and as you've said, 301 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:07,600 Speaker 1: some of those numbers obviously having to change over time. 302 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:12,680 Speaker 1: Now tell me in terms of the old Behmer prison 303 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:16,480 Speaker 1: or the current don Dale coming online and being something 304 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 1: that Adult Corrections is able to utilize over the coming months, 305 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: how big an impact is that going to have when 306 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: you talk about the prisoner numbers that we currently have, 307 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 1: and when you talk about different programs being able to 308 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: be undertaken, but also when you talk about I suppose 309 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 1: appropriateness for both our male and female prisoners to have 310 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: space yeap. 311 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 5: So it's going to have a significant change impact for us, 312 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:43,560 Speaker 5: but it's part of a much bigger jigsaw puzzle CADI. 313 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 5: So the announcement last week was a whole range of 314 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 5: infrastructure works for Corrections, including the establishment of the don 315 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 5: Dale Center as a male skills training and education center 316 00:14:57,000 --> 00:15:00,080 Speaker 5: and also the establishment of those two new women's facilities. 317 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 3: Now, when we. 318 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 5: Look at all of the jigsaw pieces and we put 319 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:08,320 Speaker 5: all of those parts together, we think that that will 320 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 5: create a knock on effect and a creation effect of 321 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 5: about three hundred and fifty extra male beds. 322 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 3: Now, let me walk you through that. 323 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 5: We think the don Dale site can be converted to 324 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:22,600 Speaker 5: a male facility, you know, around about one hundred to 325 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 5: one hundred and ten beds pretty quickly, and that's without 326 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 5: you know, further expansion work. So just using the existing buildings, 327 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:33,520 Speaker 5: we think we can accommodate up to about one hundred 328 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 5: and ten men pretty quick. Now, what that does is 329 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 5: also works with the female system. And currently, and this 330 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:45,120 Speaker 5: is really important, currently our female prisoners are held within 331 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:48,080 Speaker 5: a subset of the larger male prisons, both in Darwin 332 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:51,040 Speaker 5: and Alas. That has a whole range of knock on 333 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 5: effects to how we are able to support women in 334 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 5: custody and provide services to them. And ultimately they're confined 335 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:00,960 Speaker 5: in a much smaller zone and the new women's facilities 336 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 5: will give them their own space and their own facilities 337 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 5: and the ability to move more freely. And then adjunct 338 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:08,960 Speaker 5: to that, Dr Adams and her team are going to 339 00:16:08,960 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 5: be looking at how we create customized programs for women 340 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 5: right now. The bit that has the knock on jigsaw 341 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 5: puzzle effect is when we move women out of Darwin 342 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 5: and Alice Springs prison we can obviously take over their 343 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 5: zones for extra men's spaces and that's where we come 344 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,360 Speaker 5: up with another one hundred and fifty odd male beds, 345 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 5: both in Darwin and alyis so somewhere in the vicinity 346 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 5: of my apologies, somewhere in the vicinity of three hundred 347 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:38,080 Speaker 5: and fifty male beds we think we can generate plus 348 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 5: the new women's beds. 349 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: How big an impact is that going to have? When 350 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:45,640 Speaker 1: you look at the it seems like we've got ballooning 351 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: numbers of prisoners right now. 352 00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 5: So our prison numbers have increased substantially in the last 353 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 5: two years, and obviously we look at our projections really closely. 354 00:16:57,360 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 3: Now. 355 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 5: The bit that I can't control, Katie, obviously is you know, 356 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 5: the decisions of courts and what's going on out in 357 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:07,120 Speaker 5: community that ultimately sends people to jail. Right, But when 358 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 5: you look at the projections, and if we weren't to 359 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:14,760 Speaker 5: do these strategies, we're already at maximum capacity. So I 360 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:17,000 Speaker 5: don't want to think about what the numbers tell me 361 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 5: in the next eighteen months. If we didn't do this, 362 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 5: we would be in trouble, seriously in trouble. So this 363 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:27,480 Speaker 5: is common sense, This makes practical sense, and it's the quickest, 364 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:30,840 Speaker 5: cheapest way I think, instead of if we were going 365 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 5: to go and build a new prison. I'd be in 366 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:36,240 Speaker 5: a three to five year construction window out more money. 367 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:39,359 Speaker 1: Yeah, and that's the thing, you know, it does seem 368 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 1: and I know there's been discussion about whether it's a 369 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 1: backflip and you know, and that kind of thing. But 370 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:45,639 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, we need that space 371 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:48,160 Speaker 1: for prisoners. We do need to make sure that we've 372 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:50,200 Speaker 1: got somewhere for them to be able to go when 373 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 1: we've got such high rates of crime at this point. 374 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:53,240 Speaker 3: That's right, Katie. 375 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 5: And at the end of the day, the Dondale facility 376 00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 5: obviously is with controversy, right, I get that. But for me, 377 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,960 Speaker 5: my job for Territorians is to make sure you know, 378 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:07,119 Speaker 5: when people come to custody, I've got a safe and 379 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,359 Speaker 5: secure place to put them. I think that's what Territorians 380 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:13,119 Speaker 5: would expect to me. Whilst they're there, we want to 381 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 5: make sure they're given the rehabilitation services, the education, the programs, 382 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:20,439 Speaker 5: the skills to take changes in their life. But I 383 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 5: can't do that without the right space. 384 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:24,760 Speaker 1: In terms of then the operating budget that you have 385 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: sort of every year, though, is it going to make 386 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:30,360 Speaker 1: a big difference to you. You've got all of these 387 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:32,840 Speaker 1: additional beds coming online. And I know that you can 388 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:35,439 Speaker 1: only really do what you can do within the budget 389 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 1: that you're given. But in terms of the operating budget, 390 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:41,439 Speaker 1: I would imagine that those increased prisoner numbers are the 391 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:43,920 Speaker 1: increased facilities and that are required. 392 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 2: It is going to have an impact. 393 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 3: It will have an impact on our budget. 394 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 5: But obviously we've been putting our case to government over 395 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:55,240 Speaker 5: the last two years and I've been you know, listen 396 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:59,720 Speaker 5: to To be fair, we will have gone from a 397 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:02,119 Speaker 5: two one hundred and twenty odd million dollar budget two 398 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 5: odd years ago to two hundred and ninety odd million 399 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,160 Speaker 5: dollars from one July. So it's a seventy million dollar 400 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:11,040 Speaker 5: increase that allows us to get on with recruiting more staff, 401 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 5: providing more. 402 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 3: Services, and of course prisoners cost money to hold. 403 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:17,400 Speaker 5: You know, we obviously have to pay for food, clothing 404 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 5: and other services. But you know, I don't think this 405 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:22,520 Speaker 5: is the end of the story. This is a growth 406 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:26,520 Speaker 5: phase for Corrections and my job is to make sure 407 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 5: I'm using that resource profile to best effect, giving territorians 408 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:33,760 Speaker 5: the service that they expect for the safety of the community, 409 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:35,160 Speaker 5: and recruiting more staff. 410 00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 3: And that's what we're doing. 411 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 1: Dr Adams we touched on just a moment ago, or 412 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:40,879 Speaker 1: the commissioner touched on just a moment ago, some of 413 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 1: those programs in for our female prisoners. 414 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:45,639 Speaker 2: What you know, what are. 415 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:47,680 Speaker 1: You sort of looking at doing in terms of those 416 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: female prisoners, particularly if they dow have I guess a 417 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 1: bit more of their own space in those coming months. 418 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:57,480 Speaker 4: What we're really trying to achieve, Katie, is is having 419 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:02,359 Speaker 4: fit for purpose model of programs and services that we 420 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:06,560 Speaker 4: deliver for women. We know that women enter prison with 421 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 4: higher mental health needs, histories of domestic violence and trauma. 422 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 4: So what we want to do is make sure that 423 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:19,040 Speaker 4: we design programs that are evidence based, and what I 424 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:22,320 Speaker 4: mean by that is that we will actually consult with 425 00:20:22,520 --> 00:20:26,000 Speaker 4: key stacles in the community as well as the women 426 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 4: themselves around what those programs might look like in an 427 00:20:29,359 --> 00:20:32,719 Speaker 4: effort to be able to deliver programs that are, like 428 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 4: I said, developed within a local context and that really 429 00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:40,720 Speaker 4: looks at the underlying causes of offending. Just lastly, before 430 00:20:40,760 --> 00:20:42,800 Speaker 4: I let you both go, how are we looking in 431 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 4: terms of those staffing numbers? You know, it's something that 432 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:48,320 Speaker 4: recruitment has been at the four for you for quite 433 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:48,800 Speaker 4: some time. 434 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:51,080 Speaker 2: Commissioner. How those numbers looking look? 435 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 3: Where always recruiting, Katie. 436 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:55,480 Speaker 5: You might remember when we spoke a couple of weeks ago, 437 00:20:55,520 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 5: we had the pleasure of swearing in about fifty one 438 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:00,520 Speaker 5: new coreational officers month. 439 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:01,840 Speaker 3: We have new. 440 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:04,600 Speaker 5: Courses scheduled i'd say in the next month or so. 441 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 5: We're continuing to recruit experience correction offices from interstate and 442 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 5: New Zealand. And you know we are working hard to 443 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 5: recruit clinicians, social workers and psychologists as well. We're a 444 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 5: bit over one thousand staff now, Katie. This new budget 445 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 5: announcement sets the scene for another ninety new staff will. 446 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 3: Recruit in the year ahead. 447 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 5: Okay, So if people want to come and get a 448 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 5: job with corrections, check out our Corrections careers website. 449 00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 3: There's lots of opportunity, not just uniformed but. 450 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:38,680 Speaker 5: Clinicians, so social workers, and also let's not forget our 451 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:42,880 Speaker 5: community corrections, probation and parole offices. We have ten community 452 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:48,160 Speaker 5: corrections offices around, sorry offices around the territory and about 453 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:50,760 Speaker 5: two hundred community correction staff that do all sorts of 454 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:53,919 Speaker 5: community based supervision and case management with offenders who've been 455 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 5: released from custody. It's a really great and rewarding career, 456 00:21:57,040 --> 00:21:59,600 Speaker 5: and all of that information is on our careers website. 457 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:02,119 Speaker 1: I really appreciate you both coming into the studio for 458 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:05,560 Speaker 1: US this morning. Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley and new Deputy 459 00:22:05,560 --> 00:22:10,200 Speaker 1: Commissioner Orlanda Adams. Thank you, doctor Orlanda Adams. I should 460 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 1: say thank you so very much for your time this morning. 461 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:12,920 Speaker 1: We appreciate it. 462 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:14,320 Speaker 4: Thank you, Kay, Thank you