PBCAP Update - Sept 2020 (PDF version)

PBCAP presentation

The following centres have been presented with their Prison Bed Capacity Adjustment Program (PBCAP) numbers:

Wellington CC
147 inmate beds coming offline – PBCAP maximum state will be 592
SCO  – 27 to 24 – loss of 3
CO – 97 to 93 – loss of 4
SOS – 7 to 6 – loss of 1
OS – 24 – 22 – loss of 2

Macquarie CC
Nil changes to POVB roles

Mid North Coast CC
105 beds coming offline – PBCAP maximum state will be 1002
SCO – 37 to 36 – loss of 1
CO – 164 to 146 – loss of 18
OS – 35 to 32 – loss of 3

Glen Innes CC
40 beds coming offline – PBCAP maximum state will be 168
CO – 13 to 12 – loss of 1
SOS – 5 to 4 – loss of 1

Tamworth CC
No beds are coming offline – PBCAP maximum state will be 89
SOS – 2 to 1 – loss of 1

Consultation process

We will assist the local delegates through the consultation process for justifying staff.

The PSA/POVB meets with CSNSW every fortnight to discuss any issues that may arise out of the consultation process for individual centres or statewide.

All the issues that come out of the consultation are to be placed on the issues register.

We also ask that if a post is being deleted that it is asked of CSNSW – what is the assumption as to who will be doing the role and function of that position? Also, document what POVB’s assumption is as to the loss of that post – what will be done and what will not be done?

HR processes

The PSA/POVB met with HR last week and was presented with an overview of the preferences for displaced and affected staff.

The preferences need to be approved by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Corcoran. As soon as that happens, staff will be sent a letter. It is thought this will occur after 21 September 2020.

The letter will state whether or not individuals will have to do a suitability test for their first preference or if they want to go straight to their second preference.

CSNSW has also asked if the hold on filling vacancies can be lifted. This is due to affected staff not preferencing country locations. Country locations have a significant amount of vacancies and some centres, even with proposed staff losses, have large numbers of vacancies.

We have agreed to lift the hold on filling vacancies and local delegates will start having conversations with local management on how the centres will fill the vacancies they have left over after preferences have been determined and signed off; i.e. transfer list, casual-to-permanent talent pools, SCO talent pool etc.

If you have any issues at your centre regarding the above process, we will assist.

R U OK DAY/Mental Health Month

Once again CSNSW is going through another reform. Prison Officers do not generally like change; the impact of not knowing if or where you may be working or what the impact will look like on your centre can be significant to a person’s mental health.

We have staff who have been displaced and have to relocate to other centres and going to a new centre can be very stressful. Job security and safety is paramount to our membership. 

Throughout this process we ask you to look out for each other. Start conversations about how people are coping; information and communication goes a long way in helping relieve stress. Reach out to the staff that will be on the consultation committees. It is not an easy job and they are trying to do the best for the centre and the membership.

Please accept staff who have been displaced and have had to go to other centres and assist them through the transition to a new workplace.

If anyone is having problems throughout the reform and wishes to discuss their concerns, please contact one of the Executive or the Welfare Officer, Trish O’Brien. Trish is happy to talk through your concerns and offer guidance as to what resources are available to you to assist you.

Contact details

Nicole Jess   
Chairperson 0427 609 199

Jason Charlton
Vice Chairperson 0401 500 976

Amanda Cotter
Secretary 0404 042 600

Thor Sutherland
Assistant Secretary 0447 633 476

Darren King  
Country Vice Chair 0407 935 039

Natalie Howes
Country Vice Chair 0407 011 441

David McCauley
POVB Industrial Officer 0419 022 767

David Bartle
POVB Industrial Officer 0418 425 976

Trish O’Brien
Welfare Officer 0412 120 391