In a first for Australians prisons, a new incentive scheme could see well-behaved inmates treated to extra privileges as a reward for good behaviour.
Private family time, ‘goodnight phone calls’, social activities and takeaway pizza could soon be offered at John Morony Correctional Centre, near Windsor, to contribute to the ‘rehabilitation and reintegration’ of inmates.
The Daily Telegraph reported that a November staff document proposed ‘five incentives in total: private family visit/BBQ; goodnight call; My Time; Pizza Club and extra activities buy-up.
Pizza Club and good-night phone calls are among the incentives for well-behaved prisoners
The John Morony Correctional Centre, near Windsor, is offering a rewards program to inmates
‘Many of the incentives we are introducing are a first for prisons, which is an exciting step towards achieving our vision for the centre.’
The new incentive scheme is part of a new management plan implemented by the prison after the department ‘was forced to compete with the private sector to retain control of the jail after the government put it out to tender’.
Also in the plan are ‘dramatically’ improved security systems with the ability to detect drones, and a new ‘heartbeat detection system’ to count the number of passengers in outbound and inbound vehicles.
Prisoners may be given good-night phone calls to help with ‘rehabilitation and reintegration’
The new incentive scheme consists of five rewards including extra time for family visitation
Officers from the ‘immediate action team’ will be fitted with body cameras and a full-body X-ray scanner will target contraband concealed on the bodies of incoming prisoners.
Additionally, the air space over the jail perimeter with be fitted with Osprey Series Small Object Radar technology to detect items ‘down to the size of a golf ball’ travelling over the fence.
The Australian gaol system is under extra scrutiny since a 24-year-old man died after an alleged assault in June 2017.
And in 2016, John Morony was thrust into the spotlight when it was claimed inmates were attempting to smuggle in heroin, ice, OxyContin tablets and mobile phones.
But it seems that the inmates aren’t in for a lifestyle upgrade after all, as opposition justice spokesman Guy Zangari slammed the ‘rewards scheme’ as inappropriate and ‘disrespectful to victims’.
Opposition justice spokesman Guy Zangari slammed the ‘rewards scheme’ as inappropriate
In 2016, John Morony came under scrutiny when prisoners allegedly smuggled in contraband
Justice Minister David Elliott was ‘gobsmacked’ and said the scheme ‘will not be happening’
‘These are hardened criminals we are dealing with,’ Mr Zangari said. ‘It’s one thing to have a barbecue, but pizza club, ‘hello love’ goodnight calls — it is just going too far.
‘And then there is the security issue from ordering pizza from the outside — wonder what sides they will come with?’
Justice Minister David Elliott, who was not aware of the revised incentive scheme before being contacted by the Daily Telegraph, was ‘gobsmacked’ and said ‘it will not be happening’.
A Corrective Services NSW spokesperson confirmed the incentive scheme would not be going ahead.
‘The John Morony Correctional Centre was consulting with staff about a proposal for an incentive scheme for inmates,’ she said.