Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services
Level 27, 197 St. George's Terrace. Perth Western Australia 6000

Telephone: + 61 8 9212 6200
Facsimile: + 61 8 9226 4616

Home > About Us > News

News

The latest news from OICS.

Privatisation comes full circle in Western Australia: improved performance at Acacia30/07/08
Professor Richard Harding, the retiring Inspector of Custodial Services, yesterday released an Inspection Report relating to Acacia Prison.
Professor Richard Harding, First Inspector of Custodial Services, To Leave Position on 31 July22/07/08
Richard Harding, appointed as the inaugural Inspector from 1st August 2000, will step down at the end of this month after eight years in the position.
Roebourne Regional Prison Remains Stable17/06/08
The findings of this short follow-up inspection were reassuring. Despite the labour market challenges of maintaining a workforce in non-mining activities in the Pilbara, sufficient staff are available most of the time.
Incipient Crisis in the Juvenile Estate03/06/08
Rangeview is now unable to sustain its previous role as accommodation for the entire remand population, and currently houses all female detainees, both sentenced and remand.
A Ground Breaking Project Comes to Fruition03/06/08
The Inspector of Custodial Services Richard Harding commented that “this is the most comprehensive analysis of assessment and classification that has so far occurred within Australia”.
Reconciliation Action Plan13/05/08
As part of the Office's commitment to valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their culture and heritage, a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group has been established comprising representatives from all branches. This Group has developed the RAP, will monitor its implementation and ensure it remains relevant and is achieving its objectives.
Should Smoking be Banned in Prison?12/05/08
"The first of these papers confronts the question of whether smoking should be banned in prison. This is a pertinent issue because the introduction of smoking bans in a number of prison jurisdictions around the world has generated discussion about whether this should happen here in Western Australia.
Casuarina Prison stable and well-managed, though not without its problems, says Inspector of Custodial Services06/05/08
In a Report tabled in Parliament today, the Inspector of Custodial Services stated that the State's main maximum-security prison, Casuarina, was stable and well-managed at the time of the 2007 inspection.
Roebourne Prison survives a long, hot summer, but questions remain as to its viability06/05/08
Releasing a Report into an Inspection of Roebourne Prison today, the Inspector of Custodial Services, Professor Richard Harding, stated that the inspection of Roebourne Prison in December 2006 had revealed substantial and imminent risk of regime breakdown.
Prisoner Transport01/02/08
The death of a prisoner being transported in extreme heat from Laverton to Kalgoorlie on Sunday has highlighted the failures of the prisoner transport system in Western Australia.
Novation and Renewal of the Prisoner Transport and Court Security Contract26/11/07
I expressed to Government my firm opinion that this contract should be market-tested rather than novated directly from AIMS to GSL.
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan now available15/11/07
The Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services has now finalised its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.
Karnet a good prison, but the Department still wants to close it: Inspector slams "correctional and financial vandalism"13/11/07
Releasing his Inspection Report of Karnet Prison Farm today, the Inspector of Custodial Services Richard Harding drew attention to the apparent lack of commitment by the Department of Corrective Services to the Prison's future.
The Government's commitment to a new prison at Derby clarifies the future role of Broome Regional Prison13/11/07
Releasing his Report relating to the 2007 inspection of Broome Regional Prison, the Inspector of Custodial Services Richard Harding welcomed the fact that some tangible improvements had occurred since the last inspection in 2004.
Hakea Prison coping for the time being with unprecedented prisoner population pressures13/11/07
Releasing his Inspection Report relating to Hakea Prison today, the Inspector of Custodial Services Richard Harding acknowledged the good work that Hakea staff were doing in coping with unprecedented prisoner numbers.
Independent Visitors - 'Ordinary' People making a Difference25/09/07
An annual forum was held last month for the Volunteer Independent Visitors Scheme managed by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services.
OICS submission on Human Rights Bill 200717/09/07
Submission by the Inspector of Custodial Services on issues relating to prisoners, juvenile detainees and other persons who are subject to some supervision or sanction as part of the criminal justice process.
Greenough Prison's Key Role in Regional Correctional Policy02/08/07
Releasing his Report of an inspection of Greenough Regional Prison today, the Inspector of Custodial Services, Professor Richard Harding, emphasised the key role that the prison was capable of playing in regional correctional policy.
Custodial Transport Services Continue to Give Cause for Concern27/07/07
TheThematic Review of Custodial Transport Services in Western Australia, released today, is a timely analysis of the problems and risks that will need to be addressed by the new contractor, GSL.
Briefing Note - Key Steps to Reforming Women's Imprisonment in Western Australia16/05/07
Advice to the Attorney General
Custodial Inspector Praises Boronia15/05/07
Tabling the first Inspection Report relating to Boronia Women's Pre-Release Centre today, Inspector of Custodial Services Richard Harding praised its performance.
Use of Force at Rangeview Juvenile Remand Centre Indicative of Systemic Stress09/05/07
Safer Prisoner Transport Vehicle Commences Service22/03/07
The Inspector of Custodial Services, Professor Richard Harding, today welcomed the commencement of service of the first prisoner transport vehicle in WA to have seat belts.
Regional Court Security & Custodial Services CSCS20/03/07
The Inspector of Custodial Services, Professor Richard Harding, today released an inspection report into Regional Court Security and Custodial Services.
Broome Regional Prison16/03/07
BROOME REGIONAL PRISON OVER-STRETCHED: NEW PRISON ACCOMMODATION URGENTLY NEEDED IN THE KIMBERLEY