Verbal updates from Branch Representatives to October State Council

Acacia

No delegate present.

Academy

No delegate present.

Albany

No delegate present.

Bandyup

• Current dispute involving application of Standing Order E6 and reduction in services when VSOs redeployed.
• Some officers are being redeployed up to seven times during a single shift.
• OHS concerns regarding lack of emergency egress, barrier controls and restraint equipment.
• Discussion around Unit 1 becoming a ‘mental health unit’.
• Issues regarding availability of staff meals.
• Discussion around application of Policy Directive 26 in relation to pat searches.

Boronia

• No current issues.

Broome

• Current disputes regarding funeral escorts and peak muster position on nights.
• Dispute regarding 80 hour orientation resolved.
• Staffing issues requiring further recruitment and the actioning of transfers.
• No recreation being run currently due to infrastructure works.
• Ongoing coronial inquiry into death in custody.

Bunbury

• Issues covering vacancies on overtime.
• Unit 5 opening delayed due to high number of vacancies.
• The new build has got off to a slow start.
• A number of minor disputes.
• A dispute has been lodged regarding non-compliance with Standing Order E6.
• Operation Contra has resurfaced under a new name, causing an increase in workload.

Casuarina

• No current disputes.
• LCCs running well.
• Issues covering shifts on overtime leading to daily shortages and a reliance on Standing Order E6.
• Approximately 60 Casuarina Officers are currently on Workers’ Compensation.
• There has been a marked increase in assaults on staff.

DDU

• Discussion around the Department’s the possible introduction of ‘General Purpose Dogs’.
• New Zealand has made advancements in the detection of synthetic cannabis.
• Discussion around on-body camera trial.
• Possibility of Officers being issued iPads for use in prisons.
• A push for the DDU to be utilised in the drug and alcohol testing of prisoners.

Eastern Goldfields

• Discussion around recent media coverage in Kalgoorlie around staffing issues and current capacity (front page of the Kalgoorlie Miner, TV and radio).
• An update on the need for an attraction and retention package.
• There have been up to 18 mattresses on the floor in unit 1 in recent weeks.
• A good outcome was reached in a stage 2 dispute regarding staffing in Unit 3.
• Vacant VSO positions are slowly getting filled.
• Three assaults on staff in October.
• Commissioner Hassall met with staff Tuesday 30 October regarding attraction and retention.
• 90 of EGRP’s 137 Officers are currently on transfer lists.

Greenough

• Local management pushing for an increase in unlock hours as repairs progress.
• Infrastructure slowly coming back online.
• Second group of seconded prison officers now in place.
• Several payroll issues for first group of secondees slowly getting resolved.
• Discussion around the return of female prisoners in the aftermath of the riot.
• Several Officers are yet to return to work following the riot. Some may not return at all.

Hakea

• Both the Minister and the Commissioner have recently visited Hakea.
• Infrastructure works in Unit 8 have reduced prison capacity.
• Discussion around the current Staffing Level Agreement negotiations.
• The Department are looking to withdraw SOG Officers from the Pod. This will result in massive training requirements for Hakea officers.

Karnet

• Entire management team are currently acting in their respective roles.
• Issues with Officers being denied representation during investigation interviews.
• Issues with PDAs being out-of-range in some areas of the prison.
• Recent issues regarding an outbreak of ‘swine flu’.
• Ongoing issues with water quality.
• Discussion around Job Share and overtime.

Melaleuca

No delegate present.

Pardelup

• No substantive management (all acting).
• 3 VSOs short and one officer short.
• Potential muster increase of 15.

Roebourne

• Security Manager recently walked off-site following a series of concerns raised by WAPOU members.
• Emerging OHS issue regarding building works in the kitchen and discovery of asbestos.

SOG

• Currently short-staffed and an advertisement has been published for external recruitment.
• Operation Intercept is causing a reduction in response capabilities during nightshifts.
• Ongoing issues with SOG management regarding changing the hours of duty for officers.
• Ongoing issues regarding requirement to perform handover in own time.

Wandoo

No delegate present.

West Kimberley

No delegate present.

Wooroloo

• Several disputes resolved while substantive Superintendent was on annual leave.
• Potential muster increase of 48.
• Issues with new prisoner accommodation discussed.

Work Camps

No delegate present.