CSNSW called a meeting with Directors, COVB and POVB to discuss RITs/ROCI/Weekend Duties.
CSNSW addressed the meeting stating they would like to look at the following:
- Retire the ROCI – look at putting this in the COPP
- Address the RIT issues statewide
- Weekend responsibilities – FMs are stating their workload is too much.
RITs were discussed first with a healthy discussion by all parties.
COVB’s argument
- Stating that FMs are not doing the RITs on a weekend and this leaves CSNSW liable if something goes wrong as apparently CSNSW have stated to only do FM PD responsibilities other than emergencies.
- Workload for FMs are too high to do RITs properly and effectively.
- Shortland are doing a different FM each day doing RITs and they are stating this is giving the process no continuity.
- It states in the ROCI that the responsibility is with the Case Manager – if CSNSW do not come to the party of a standalone SCO they will put that role and function to the Case Manager.
- They stated the following large, medium and small centres are having problems with RITs: SCCC, Shortland, Wellington, Bathurst, MNC (will check as it is thought under the new P28 they have a standalone SCO), MSPC 1-3 (confirming), Long Bay Hospital, Goulburn and Tamworth (Small centre but have a large reception and discharge and a lack of cells to hold inmates).
POVB argument
- We will only do RITs if there is a standalone position seven days a week to do the RITs. We will not accept the deletion or moving of another post to accommodate the creation of a RIT officer.
- All centres were benchmarked and the RITs were not properly factored into the P28 staffing. CSNSW acknowledged this was correct.
- Throughout the benchmarking process each centre had a meeting with SCOs and FMs to discuss the roles of each rank and it was made clear in those meetings who was doing what and FMs agreed to do the role of RITs. This meant a lot of ASs and even SCOs got promoted.
- The POVB did not come up with benchmarking or the ROCI – CSNSW did. It clearly states RITs are the role of Case Manager. Benchmarking was about cutting staff and reducing costs. The cost of a coronial inquiry and compensation to families for an inmate’s death is far greater than the cost of possibly at least 7 SCOs.
- POVB have been stating since being elected that we are heading for a crisis with mental health and behaviour inmates. We do not have enough beds to hold these inmates. There is a clogging system happening around the state as there are waiting lists for the ACMU – MSPC 1-3, ISU – MSPC 1-3, G/F ward – Long Bay Hospital, MSU – SWCC, and MHSU – SWCC. This is creating inmates being moved out of these wards too quickly and being placed in Clinic area in SCCC, MNC, Wellington and Shortland. These centres have not been benchmarked to house these inmates and they are not resourced equipment-wise or staff-wise to manage them. They are often receiving these inmates without any management plans and management plans are not devised when they arrive at the centre.
Outcome
- CSNSW to work on a proposal to give to AC Corcoran re what is believed to be required. This proposal will be given to COVB and POVB for perusal. CSNSW is envisaging this to be done by 10 March 2020 meeting. She will be looking at CRES statistics.
- COVB have requested that SCCC, Shortland and Bathurst be given now the resource of 1 x SCO on overtime Monday to Friday to do the RITs or they will put the responsibility to the Case Manager. CSNSW to get back to us and as yet we have had no feedback.
If POVB get 1 x SCO position in each of the listed centres that will be a guaranteed post that could not be looked at under the PBCAP process.
The ROCI was then discussed:
We went over many of the same points above.
POVB confirmed we will not do any AS responsibility like segregation paperwork, IFP paperwork even if it states it in the COPP as the ROCI states FMs.
If they want to get rid of the ROCI then the COPP needs to be looked at holistically regarding roles.
Look at what happens in small, medium, large and extra-large centres. This should be reflected in the COPP. There may be some centres that locally agree to do certain roles and that should be reflected in their LOPs.
It was also raised that since benchmarking security aspects of the COPP like musters, unlock/lock ins, head checks, security patrols etc. are being rushed and not done properly to make sure KPIs are being met. We raised that security should be the first priority and the others second.
Outcome
Working Party to be devised at the next meeting to look at the COPP and the roles in it. Making sure that small, medium, large and extra-large centres are detailed in it.
Look at the security aspects and address/make sure that centres are doing what is expected.
Weekend Delegation
We did not get to this. This will be discussed at the next meeting. Our stance will be that CSNSW resourced it how it is currently with 1 x FM and we will not be taking on any extra responsibilities.
Any further information will be put out in a bulletin.
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 976a