Department of Corrective Services

Prisoner transport update

05 Nov 2009

The following may be attributed to Commissioner Ian Johnson:

The Department of Corrective Services has taken another step forward with prisoner transport, introducing the first Department-owned bus into its prisoner transport fleet.

The 20-seater bus, equipped with air conditioning, individual seat belts and private toilet facilities, is currently being used for metro inter-prison services to carry out operational testing, with the intention of using the bus for longer distances in the future.

Security systems including digital recording equipment, GPS tracking and anti-hijack mechanisms have been fitted and it is expected this will be the first of several similar buses for the future prisoner transport fleet.

We made a commitment to learn from the tragedy of Mr Ward’s death and I will continue to ensure we push toward safer and more humane conditions for the transport of all prisoners around the State.

We have made some significant changes both in the vehicles used in the fleet, including the use of leased charter buses, and in the operating standards which apply to all prisoner transport, but this is a journey of continuous improvement.

Each new prisoner transport vehicle takes us a step closer to a fleet of safe, humane and reliable vehicles. As a Department we’re committed to finding ways to reduce the need to transport prisoners around the State in the first place, but in the meantime we will do whatever it takes to minimise the risks associated with long-distance travel.

The cost of the bus to build was $280k, including security systems - less than the cost of conventional prisoner transport vehicles.

The replacement prisoner transport fleet continues on-schedule. The replacement 40 vehicles are all expected to be complete by December 2010. The bus is a supplementary vehicle, and it is expected to be the first of two or three similar buses. The use of leased charter buses for northern and regional routes will continue until at least January 2010.

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