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Recommendation 140
This recommendation is assigned to CSNSW.
Recommendation
That as soon as practicable, all cells should be equipped with an alarm or intercom system which gives direct communication to custodians. This should be pursued as a matter of urgency at those police watch-houses where surveillance resources are limited.
Context
At the commencement of Chapter 24.1 the Royal Commission report stated that issues dealing with Police and prison custody deaths would be dealt with separately in different chapters as the issues were quite distinct. Since the time of the RCIADIC report, CSNSW has taken operational responsibility for some police/court cells. The Royal Commission identified that in a number of lock-ups the means by which people in custody could communicate with their custodians was inadequate and were unable to raise the alarm in case of an emergency. Recommendation 140 is directed at ensuring inmates are provided with the equipment to raise alarms in case of emergency. This recommendation is primarily directed at NSW Police, however CSNSW has provided a response as far as relevant.
Status: Implemented
CSNSW has both static and dynamic supervision requirements for inmates in court cells, with cell call and alarm systems installed in every police and court cell they operate.
Staff are required by policy to immediately attend a reported location in response to an alarm and maintain lines of sight into an inmate’s cell or cubicle.
The local operating procedure for cell alarms in court cells prohibits placing an inmate in a cell with an inoperable cell alarm.
Detail of implementation
CSNSW have both static and dynamic supervision requirements in relation to inmates in court cells. Cell call and alarm systems are installed in every police and court cell that is operated by CSNSW.
Staff are required by policy to ensure they immediately attend a reported location in response to an alarm and staff are also required to maintain lines of sight into an inmate’s cell or cubicle. The local operating procedure for cell alarms in court cells specifically prohibits an inmate being placed in a cell with an inoperable cell alarm.
COPP Section 5.5 Cell Security and alarm calls
Outlines the responsibility of correctional officers always maintaining lines of sight and must always have an unobstructed view into an inmate’s cell or cubicle.
Point 2 Responding to cell call alarms.
2.2 Cell calls requiring staff to immediately attend a reported location.
All police / court cells have a cell call alarm systems and are managed in line with COPP Section 5.5 Cell Security & alarm calls and LOPs:
2019/10 Monitoring inmate welfare & response to cell alarms
2018-009 Cell Alarms
Evidence
COPP Section 5.5 Cell Security and alarm calls (PDF, 3.3 MB)
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