Media Releases

IBAC's research report on Corruption risks associated with the corrections sector highlights the major corruption and integrity issues faced by the corrections sector. Many of the risks identified are not encountered in other areas of the public sector.

"The nature of the corrections sector makes it particularly vulnerable to specific corruption risks, including issues like the provision of contraband in prisons and complaints of excessive use of force by corrections officers," IBAC CEO Alistair Maclean said.

"The nature of the services provided by corrections also introduces heightened risks around inappropriate information use and relationships between staff and prisoners,"Mr Maclean said.

"These corruption risks are not unique to Victoria; they are common to corrections agencies across Australia and in similar countries overseas. However, the way in which these challenges are managed varies across jurisdictions and there are clear opportunities for the Victorian corrections sector to reassess how current prevention and detection strategies could be strengthened."

Key integrity and corruption issues identified include risks around:

• the provision of contraband (such as drugs and mobile phones) to prisoners by corrections officers
• unauthorised access to and disclosure of information to prisoners by corrections officers
• ensuring probity in large scale procurement processes
• recruitment – particularly during peak periods, and for facilities in small regional communities.

"Non-custodial officers such as counsellors and teachers may also face a heightened risk of being targeted by corrupt approaches because they often deal with prisoners one-on-one, may have a greater focus on relationship-building with prisoners as part of their roles, and may lack appropriate support and training on integrity or corruption issues," Mr Maclean said.

The report found the Department of Justice and Regulation and Corrections Victoria are aware of the corruption risks facing the corrections sector in Victoria and have policies in place to address the key risks. However, the rapid growth of the sector, the high-risk nature of corrections operations, and the challenges of maintaining consistent standards state-wide, and across public and private prisons, reinforce the need for continuous improvement to policies, systems and practices to prevent corruption.

Two recent IBAC investigations, Operations Nepean and Ettrick, highlighted how policies and systems can be undermined by poor supervision, record-keeping, compliance and workplace cultures that tolerate misconduct and corruption.

Operation Nepean uncovered procurement and maintenance fraud at the Dame Phyllis Frost Correctional Centre. Operation Ettrick identified illicit drug use and inappropriate associations by some corrections officers at Port Phillip Prison.

The research report on Corruption risks associated with the corrections sector has been released as part of IBAC's role to assist the Victorian public sector to strengthen its capacity to prevent corruption. As with other research released by IBAC, this report aims to alert the public sector to key issues and risks and to help agencies strengthen their anti-corruption policies, systems and practices.

Media contact: media@ibac.vic.gov.au or 0427 480 840