Wellbeing improvements not enough

December 2024

The Custodial Inspector today released its Adult Wellbeing Inspection Report 2024, citing the Department of Justice has supported 15 of the 18 recommendations and in part the remaining three.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service Chief Executive Officer Jake Smith said more needs to be done.

“While we acknowledge that there has been some improvement, the improvements by the Department of Justice don’t go far enough,” Mr Smith said.

“The report concludes that there were changes on the horizon with respect to the non-existent cultural support for Aboriginal people in custody.”

Mr Smith said the Tasmanian Prison Service has begun to engage the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service to support the wellbeing needs of Aboriginal people in custody, however at less than half of the original identified need.

“We have begun providing wellbeing supports to mob because prior to this, there were no supports at all available,” Mr Smith said.

“These supports are at less than half the identified need, we have and will continue to call on the Tasmanian Prison Service, Department of Justice and the Tasmanian Government to increase the support available for Aboriginal people in custody.”

The over-representation of Aboriginal people in custody is getting worse, despite the Tasmania Government being a signatory of Closing the Gap.

The report also highlights the Tasmanian Prison Service is not meeting the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) with the amount of time prisoners have out of their cells.

“This is unacceptable. Everybody, no matter if you are in custody or not, should have access to fresh air, be able to get outside, stretch their legs and get some exercise.

“The Tasmanian Prison Service and the Tasmanian Government, still has a long way to go to ensure the cultural needs of Aboriginal people and the minimum standards for all people in custody are being met”

“We would like to acknowledge Mr Connock and the Custodial Inspector team for continuing to hold the Tasmanian Prison Service and the Tasmanian Government to account.”

Mr Smith said TALS is committed to continuing its work with the Tasmanian Prison Service, Department of Justice, and the Tasmanian Government to address these issues and ensure that the needs of Aboriginal people in custody are better met.

Media contact: A. Mark Thomas, M&M Communications, 0422 006 732