The ACT Inspector of Correctional Services, Neil McAllister, presented the critical incident review of last year’s violent escape rampage for tabling in the ACT Legislative Assembly today.

On 9 July 2021, a Jeep repeatedly rammed an Alexander Maconochie Centre escort vehicle (an AMC Toyota Camry) carrying a detainee and three Corrections Officers, forcing the heavily damaged escort vehicle off the road in Griffith while the detainee fled in the Jeep. Two officers were injured.

• ‘A shambles’: Liberals call for AMC investigation after prisoner escapes and mistaken releases (July 2021)
• Escapee, two others arrested following ‘brazen attack’ (July 2021)

The review commended the three escort officers for their absolute professionalism on the day.

It also makes nine recommendations. The review concludes that while ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS) could not reasonably foresee the escape, ACTCS must minimise the likelihood of incidents of this type occurring in the future, Mr McAllister said.

The ACT Government could not comment at this time, as the case is still before the court.

Transporting prisoners

Questions were raised last year over why a Toyota Camry was used to transport the prisoner. Eight months before, the Inspector of Correctional Services called the mid-sized family car, bought in 2020, “unsuitable as a general-use escort vehicle” (Review of ACT Corrective Services Court Transport Unit 2020), while officers described it as “unfit for purpose”. The Inspector recommended the Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS) review ACT Corrective Services’ acquisition of Court Transport Unit vehicles.

“It is disappointing that ACTCS was using Camry sedans for secure escorts some 12 months after OICS raised concerns in our Review of the ACTCS Court Transport Unit about whether they were fit for purpose in the escort role,” Mr McAllister said today. “It seems those concerns were not heeded.”

Last year, following the incident, Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Corrections, said Camrys would only transport detainees in exceptional circumstances.

Canberra Liberal MLA Elizabeth Kikkert, ACT Shadow Minister for Corrections, said the report made it clear the government did not heed the Inspector’s concerns about using Camrys to transport prisoners.

“It is concerning when the ACT Government disagrees with the Inspector,” Mrs Kikkert said. “It is greatly disturbing when the government chooses to disregard the Inspector’s concerns when his concerns are rooted in common sense.

“It should not even be a question that, outside of exceptional circumstances, detainees are transported in secure vehicles, and not family sedans.

“The decision by the ACT Government not to heed the Inspector’s concerns is deeply worrying, and the consequences of this poor decision were seen all over Oxley Street in July.”

Mr McAlister said the incident also highlighted gaps in training and procedures to deal with secure escorts and escapes or attempted escapes from external escorts that ACTCS must rectify.

Mental health support for AMC staff

Staff involved in traumatic incidents needed more support to help them remain at work or return to work after sick leave arising from incidents.

According to the report, all three escort officers involved in the incident felt that the services provided by the Employee Assistance
Program (EAP) were generic rather than specific to the trauma they experienced during the incident. While a combination of support services might be sufficient to help some staff through the post-incident period, others might need longer term specialist assistance (e.g. a psychologist) to help them deal with trauma, the report found.

The Canberra Liberals said the report bolstered their call for greater mental health supports for AMC staff.

“The report also serves as a reminder to the ACT Government of their commitment to explore options such as an on-site PTSD and trauma specialising counsellors to enhance the wellbeing and mental health supports for ACTCS Corrective Service and Corrections Officers at the Alexander Maconochie Centre,” Mrs Kikkert said.

In August, Mrs Kikkert called for more mental health support for AMC staff, including a trauma specialising counsellor, a motion the government supported. The Inspector’s report complemented her motion, she said.

“I look forward to an update on the progress of my motion and the government’s response to the Inspector’s report,” Mrs Kikkert said.

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