Today’s special report by the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission has revealed the systemic corruption risks and widespread failings across Victoria’s prison system under the Andrews Labor Government.
IBAC’s Special Report on Corrections has exposed number of serious corruption cases within Victoria’s prisons, including;
- Substantiated allegations of assault on prisoners by corrections officers at Port Phillip Prison;
- The employment of a property officer who misused Corrections Victoria databases and had associations with current and former inmates;
- The smuggling and sale of contraband (tobacco) by an Aboriginal Welfare Officer to inmates at Loddon Prison;
- The smuggling of contraband, receipt of cash payments and inappropriate relationships relating to a prison officer at Dhurringile Prison.
Furthermore, IBAC has identified “serious and systemic corruption risks facing the corrections sector in Victoria” and has recommended reforms which must now be immediately implemented by the Andrews Labor Government.
In March 2020, the Victorian Liberal Nationals called for an immediate independent investigation into Port Phillip Prison following a series of security breaches, violent attacks and the fatal bashing of an inmate.
With Labor continuing to run the most expensive prisons of any state in the nation and reoffending stuck over 40 per cent – it’s clear Victoria needs a new plan to clean-up our prisons, get offenders on the right path and keep our community safe.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Corrections, David Southwick:
“Daniel Andrews’ failed prisons mean more hardened criminals back on the street and less safe communities for Victorians across the state.
“What hope do people have to turn their lives around when our prisons are being run like the wild west with violence, drugs and corruption a daily occurrence?
“It’s clear the Minister is not up to the job when Victoria has the most expensive and worst performing prisons in the nation with no plan to end the revolving door of our justice system.”
