It is sometimes easy to overlook the importance of accurately documenting an event. At the time of writing this Paper only three detainees (involved in instigating the riot) had been linked to the riot by way of an incident report, in the Total Offender Management Solution (TOMS). In essence, that means there is no record linking the other numerous detainees who were involved in the riot. Without accurate records the knowledge of who was identified as being involved in the riot is likely to be lost.

It is standard practice to record critical incidents in detention centres and prisons and this process was in place prior to and after the riot. Many of the incidents that have been recorded in TOMS are minor in comparison to the riot, therefore the absence of documentation on the riot is imbalanced.

Further, there are no corresponding minutes or outcomes attached to the three individuals who have been linked to the riot. This means there is no record of the consequences that were imposed on these three individuals as a result of instigating the riot.

Accurate and thorough record keeping is an ongoing issue for the Department in particular, at Banksia Hill. In the last Banksia Hill report in January 2012 it was noted that there were significant data, documentation and record keeping deficiencies in particular relating to the use of regression.  This Paper makes several references to poor record keeping practices including recording lockdowns and placing intelligence in incident reporting, if it is reported at all. Substantial effort needs to be made in changing record keeping practices across Banksia Hill and should start with accurate records being developed on the riot and those identified as being involved.

Page last updated: April 4, 2014