Recommendation 1
Create a policy or plan specific to the age-related needs of older prisoners.
Recommendation 2
Improve the opportunity for foreign national prisoners to engage in external activities.
Recommendation 3
Examine the reasons why recidivism rates for First Nations and non-First Nations people differ and implement mechanisms to reduce this disparity.
Recommendation 4
Examine causes of, and implement mechanisms to improve, First Nations representation at the prison farms.
Recommendation 5
Prioritise the development of life skills through structured and practical learning activities.
Recommendation 6
Consider implementing a global assessment document to assess a prisoner’s eligibility for various external activities, which can be updated as the prisoner progresses towards their eligibility dates.
Recommendation 7
With regards to the Prisoner Employment Program:
a) Allow prisoners to apply for the program earlier than three months prior to their eligibility to commence paid employment.
b) Review the application process to identify process barriers or resourcing constraints contributing to delays in approvals.
Recommendation 8
Remove the requirement for prisoners participating in the Prisoner Employment Program to pay the Department of Justice a fee for their accommodation.
Recommendation 9
Train willing participants at all prison farms, in areas such as mental health, suicide prevention, and disability awareness.
Recommendation 10
Adequately resource the custodial estate with Prison Support Officers, preventing the diversion of services.
Recommendation 11
Wooroloo Prison Farm should establish a weekend yarning circle at the cultural area for out-of-Country First Nations men.
Recommendation 12
Increase the access to information and support for prisoners facing deportation due to visa cancellations.
Recommendation 13
The Department of Justice should request permission from Government to allow the prison farms to retain a portion of their generated revenues for farm reinvestment.
DOJ Response – Inspection of Karnet, Pardelup & Wooroloo Prison Farms