One out court locations
For well over 10 years, the POVB Executive have been working to increase staffing levels on shifts at court locations that work one out.
This matter has been on the POVB books for a long time and at all the meetings we attend, we raise the matter and the risk to staff in these locations.
We are pleased to tell our members that we have been successful in getting this rectified. This is a great result for the court locations that have worked for years in an unsafe environment.
The delegates in these locations need to be commended for constantly highlighting the risks the staff have faced over the years. We would also like to thank CESU management for hearing our concerns and for addressing the issue.
Uniform Committee meeting
The Uniform Committee meeting was held yesterday. As all members would know, there has been some difficulty in getting uniforms and correct sizing since the new company has taken over.
The main points out of the meeting are:
- A change request has been submitted to ADA in relation to High-Vis vests being available for CSI staff. ADA has said it will put in a cost submission by the end of June for approval by CSNSW Executive.
- Boonie Hats (cricket hat style). ADA has supplied quotes and purchase orders have been completed for samples to be delivered and trialled at different centres.
- Undershirts for IAT – these are a breathable fabric undershirt with normal shirt sleeves that can be worn under IAT vests. They have recently been trialled by NSW Sheriffs. CSNSW has requested samples to be available for trial and they will be delivered to the next Uniform Committee meeting which will be towards the end of September.
- Another trial will be undertaken with the Cargo pants now that ADA is the new supplier. It will be delivering a visual format (artwork) and some material samples to CSNSW around mid-July. There was a large amount of feedback from the last trial and this has all been passed onto ADA to help it develop a suitable cargo pant.
- Maternity pants are ready to be trialled. If any female would like to trial the pants, contact Darren King or Natalie Howes.
- A review is underway in relation to uniform budgets. It has been $250/officer. However, we are looking at getting that raised to $450. This is approximately an increase of $1.4 million.
- The launch of the portal for ordering uniforms will be at selected centres shortly, then rolled out to all other centres approximately two weeks later.
- Business and Finance Managers will be contacted and informed to keep an appropriate amount of PPE pouches and Lanyards in stock. Currently they are showing up in Officer order forms but these will be removed so that it doesn’t affect the Officer’s budget.
- All footwear is now sized in US standards. A size guide has been sent to every centre, and is also available on the intranet.
- Maternity Blouse: feedback has been that they are a small sizing, therefore, a size chart will be delivered to each centre and also available on the intranet.
- A review has been conducted on the availability of all staff to be able to access the cold climate jackets and beanies. This has been endorsed by the committee and is currently with AC Corcoran and AC Wilson for final approval. Beanies will only be allowed on C, B and N watches.
- ADA is looking at changing the material of the beanies to ‘Thinsulate’ due to WH&S concerns (beanies are hard to hear through), samples will be supplied to the next uniform meeting.
PBCAP numbers
PSA/POVB are still waiting on the Prison Bed Capacity numbers for the remaining centres around the state that have not had their presentations.
The PSA/POVB were hoping that CSNSW would supply the numbers on 9 June 2020. Prior to 9 June PSA/POVB had written to CSNSW asking if privatisation, outsourcing or contracting for any parts of CSNSW projected for the future of any part of CSNSW.
Commissioner Severin wrote back to General Secretary Stewart Little, stating that there was no privatisation, outsourcing or contracting in the PBCAP process. It was also stated in the letter that the PBCAP number would not be completed by 9 June, 2020 for the PBCAP meeting and they would require several more weeks to get the data and figures correct.
We have a meeting on 22 June, 2020 for PBCAP and we are hoping to have the numbers presented to us then.
Further information will be put in a bulletin after the PBCAP meeting.
Mary Wade Correctional Centre fire
On Friday, 12 June 2020, two inmates lit a fire in their cell whilst locked in due to a staff meeting and a union meeting.
Mary Wade staff responded and put their own lives at risk to put the fire out and save the lives of the two inmates in the cell as well as the other inmates in the wing.
We want to commend all the staff that day who went above and beyond in protecting the lives of inmates and the centre buildings.
This situation could have been dramatically different, with loss of lives and infrastructure, if it was not for the heroic efforts of all staff.
Staff responded from Silverwater Women’s to assist, as 10 staff suffered from smoke inhalation and three inmates were required to be taken on a hospital escort.
We want to congratulate all the staff for the team work and professionalism shown on the day. The heroic efforts put in by everyone and also to the staff of Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre for coming to assist your colleagues.
CSNSW past six months
We would again like to highlight the efforts of all staff of CSNSW around the state during the past six months. We have worked under the most difficult circumstances and we have done this when our lives have been put at risk.
The frustrations that our membership feel in not being recognised as Front Line Emergency Workers by the public and the Government is frustrating for us also. However, we want to assure you that the PSA and the POVB Executive are so proud of your professionalism and dedication to our uniform and to each other. We will work tirelessly to get the recognition we deserve.
To put it in perspective the following is what we have dealt with:
Catastrophic Bush Fires
- Glen Innes CC – evacuated due to Bushfires
- Oberon CC – evacuated due to Bushfires
- Mannus CC – evacuated due to Bushfires
- South Coast CC – Fires on the fence line
- CC – Fires on the fence line
- Mid North Coast CC – Fires in surrounding areas
Incidents since COVID restrictions
- Wellington CC – Riot
- Shortland CC – Riot
- South Coast CC – Riot
- Mid North Coast CC – Riot
- Long Bay Hospital CC. – Riot
- Goulburn CC – Riot
- Lithgow CC – Riot
- Mid North Coast CC – Hostage situation
- MSPC 1-3 – Gas used in yards
- Mary Wade CC – Significant Fire
And we are only halfway through the year.
We would like to recognise the efforts of the Security Operations Group and the support they have given many of these centres and these incidents. When SOG arrives it gives the centre staff confirmation that no matter what, things will work out.
Take a bow everyone; it is well deserved.
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