INDUSTRIAL ACTION HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO PUT COMMUNITY PROTECTION FIRST

The Queensland Party spokesperson for Police, Corrections and Emergency Services Darren Hunt has called for the government to urgently address the security and safety issues being caused by officials more interested in their future careers than the safety of custodial officers, the community and prisoners to whom they owe a duty of care after custodial officers were forced to take industrial action at the Townsville Correction Centre today.

Mr Hunt said "The safety of our custodial officers supervising prisoners in Queensland gaols is being compromised by penny pinching measures designed to further careers and political aspirations. This in turn is placing the community, and the prisoners themselves, in greater danger.”

Mr Hunts claims come after staff at the Townsville Correctional Centre commenced industrial action on Friday 3rd June 2011 as a result of safety concerns being caused by Corrective Services refusing to bring in extra staff to maintain safe staffing levels when rostered staff on post were required to escort prisoners outside the centre or staff called in sick. This follows on from industrial action commenced on 13th December 2010 when staff walked off the job to protest over similar safety issues. A total walkout was avoided when Custodial staff decided to continue normal operations after their concerns were listed for hearing at the QIRC on Monday 6th June.

Mr Hunt stated “Our custodial officers work in a very volatile and dangerous environment. Problems can develop and escalate in a very short period of time inside a prison. Just because it is quiet one minute does not mean it won’t be the next. To say that replacement staff will not be brought in, despite concerns being raised by staff, on the grounds of saving overtime is disgraceful. The government obviously learnt nothing from last year and thinks by sticking their head in the sand the problem will go away.”

“Does the community really want to see murderers armed robbers, rapists and paedophiles escaping because these managers are trying to save a few bucks? What will be the long term costs for a victim of crime if an escapee attacks someone because there was insufficient staff to supervise them? What if an officer gets hurt? I can guarantee it will be considerably more than paying a custodial officer two or three hours overtime to maintain safe staffing levels.” Mr Hunt stated.

 “The Queensland government has been given a report into Queensland Corrective Services outlining a range of measures that could be implemented that would improve efficiencies and save significant amounts of money. This would be far better than reducing the number of staff on the front line to what they recommend is below safe levels. I’m sure the people of Queensland are more interested in the recommendations of what constitutes safe staffing levels from custodial officers at the coal face, rather than an accountant in George Street. ”

Mr Hunt stated “The Queensland Party is committed to a safe Queensland. If we can’t even maintain safe staffing levels in our prisons and support our brave men and women supervising these violent criminals, what chance has the community got. The staff involved should be commended for their willingness to compromise, delaying further industrial action over the weekend and waiting until Monday. It is time for the government to listen to their concerns and take immediate action.”