Verbal updates from Branch Representatives to September State Council 2019

Tuesday 08 Oct 2019

THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS WERE DISCUSSED AT THE SEPTEMBER STATE COUNCIL BY BRANCH DELEGATES;

Acacia Prison

  • Experiencing similar problems to the rest of the state but dealing with them under the corporate system is very different
  • Director replaced – Brenton Williams
  • EBA still being negotiated – Offered 1.5%
  • Trying to get a stance on personal leave – only getting 84 hours and not 10 shifts (120 hours)
  • Willing to discuss staffing levels at JCC which until now has been ‘commercial in confidence’
  • Recently delegates had 3-Day Delegate training at the WAPOU office with Sophie – Fantastic
  • With the 500 bed extension only 30 new jobs – Unemployed Crims is becoming a problem
  • Had a few recent wins including O.C. Spray in the units and load bearing vests for Security Staff

Academy

  • No Delegate Present

Albany Regional Prison

  • The prison is currently full with no spare beds available
  • Staffing is currently okay
  • VSO on a disciplinary charge for not submitting to a search on the gate
  • Deputy Commissioner visited prison
  • Possible closure of Unit 1 being discussed when Casuarina units come on line

Bandyup Women’s Prison

  • 4 Current Disputes

VSO’s not being inducted

            Civilians redeployed into Prison Officer Duties

            Bullying (Corporate)

            OSH Co-Ordinator – No Confidence  

  • Missing Knife still not found
  • Prevalence Testing was forgotten
  • 9 Officers sent to hospital following fire in cell

Boronia Reintegration Prison

  • New Superintendent – Kim McKay
  • 2 New Officers
  • 1 New Senior Officer
  • 1 Senior Officer to be advertised
  • 1 Current Dispute
  • 1 Dispute settled

Broome Regional Prison

  • Razor ribbon has been introduced to the prison with no extraction training
  • No roof ascending policies in place
  • Administration have been distributing emails regarding grievances globally with names included
  • The new Training Officer has been delivering restraints training in full view of crims
  • On-Line training is becoming a major issue as no time is being given for completion

 

Bunbury Regional Prison

  • New Unit for 160 prisoners nearing completion
  • Final fitout due October 7th
  • Currently filling all overtime
  • Currently working through disputes including E6
  • Cuffs and Sprays issue partially resolved

 

Casuarina Prison

  • The last Branch Meeting went really well
  • New Delegate has been elected – Prateek Kumar
  • Principal Officers were stopped / held up on doing overtime
  • Attempts were made to stop an officer with 10 years’ experience from working in Unit 1
  • Reports being heard that Cyrenian House will run the new Unit when complete

Drug Detection Unit

  • Department are looking at the Dog handlers allowance and Schedule C allowances
  • Thanks from unit to Industrial Office Hsien Harper for tremendous work
  • 6 new dogs have arrived – still 4 vacancies with 3 handlers on workers compensation leave

Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison

  • At last State Council one officer was informed that his transfer was being delayed
  • EGRP Members are unhappy with the lack of recruits
  • Long term resident officers are now leaving the prison
  • Master control rooms are being refitted with touch control screens
  • Driverless vehicle is being discussed to test perimeter
  • New Drug Detection Dog has commenced with excellent results

Greenough Regional Prison

  • Units 2 and 3 still unoccupied
  • Fence complete between units 2 and 3
  • Units 2 and 3 need to be complete before unit 4 can be occupied
  • Currently replacing doors and windows plus security screens
  • Disappointing that work is still underway 15 months after the riot
  • New plans for unit 4 are to be presented to staff at Greenough
  • Recent fire in unit 1 – Medical Centre attended to 2 Officers prior to calling ambulance

Hakea Prison

  • Currently the branch is showing a good united front
  • Issue around the second meal breaks has been escalated to stage 2
  • The Superintendent is still failing to follow the E6 Agreement
  • Superintendent is bringing staff in on special projects and not allowing redeployment when short staffed
  • Minimum night shift staffing is not being met on a regular basis

Karnet Prison Farm

  • Delegate Tony Ford is currently on Workers Compensation Leave
  • Superintendent Ray Edge has returned and replaced chairs in units
  • New PDA System is imminent
  • Currently 2 disputes in place regarding the E6 Agreement

Melaleuca Remand and Reintegration Prison

  • No Delegate Present

Pardelup Prison Farm

  • 1 Vacant Senior Officer – Reception
  • No Current disputes
  • Security Manager has stated that Pardelup is non-compliant with searches
  • VSO’s are required to work weekends – No pay grade to cover this
  • Deputy Commissioner visited the prison – mentioned a desire to streamline the transfer procedure
  • Overtime caps mentioned

Roebourne Prison Farm

  • No Delegate Present

Special Operations Group

  • A few current disputes regarding change of hours
  • New badge issue has been resolved

West Kimberley Regional Prison

  • No Delegate Present

Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison

  • No Delegate Present

Wooroloo Prison Farm

  • Release for WAPOU Delegates to attend Council was refused as there was a controlled burn and officers were sent to attend (even when running 6 short)

Work Camps

  • No Delegate Present
Respect the Risk - WAPOU