News Flash

Increasingly Correctional Services Prison Officers are being forced to supervise prisoners who should be placed in facilities designed and staffed suitably to address mental health issues and needs.

Officers in SA Prison are continually exposed to prisoners who would in other circumstances be classified as mentally ill, however when in Custodial Facilities are assessed as behavioural, not mentally ill.

A recent example reported to PSA is of a prisoner with irreversible brain damage understood to be caused through use of illegal substances, however DCS determined that the prisoner's state was behavioural. Staff within the institutions are continually having to face such circumstances and fulfil the role of mental health supervisor or nurse. Custodial Institutions are not staffed or equipped to safely, securely and humanely house these offenders.

In addition to concerns related to the caring for prisoners with mental health issues, is the risk posed to Officers though the unpredictable behaviour of those prisoners.

PSA SUPPORTING CORRECTIONAL SERVICES EMPLOYEES

5 May 2010