Government welcomes Catholic Commission Report

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mr. McGrath, has welcomed the report by the Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace into Victoria’s prison system.

‘The State Government is always looking for ways to improve the way the Victorian Prison System is run and we always welcome constructive input", Mr. McGrath said.

The Minister reiterated that the Office of the Correctional Services Commissioner played an active watchdog role in ensuring all four providers that run the State’s prison system maintained appropriate standards.  Recent Government initiatives in response to problems arising in the system included:

• The adoption of an integrated prison drug strategy comprising deterrance, detection and treatment;
• An upgrade of cell facilities at Port Phillip Prison;
• Investigation of the possibility of outsourcing the management of the Melbourne Custody Centre; and
• A review of procedures and policies used to identify prisoners at risk of suicide and self harm and an examination of such incidents at the Port Phillip, Beechworth, Metropolitan Women’s and Metropolitan Assessment Prisons.

(News Release, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, October 27, 1998)