POVB bulletin update – August 2017 (PDF version)

Apologies for the late update. It has been a very busy two weeks, and there is another busy week coming up. As you will all know Parklea hit the media with an inmate filming himself on a mobile phone and then posting it to YouTube.

The PSA and POVB were able to secure some media coverage after this event. Stewart Little was interviewed by The Project and Ray Hadley, and Nicole was interviewed by a country radio station in Orange. It is very difficult to secure media coverage because, unfortunately, media outlets are not always interested in what we see as important.

First and foremost, we have still not been informed officially of the outcome of the John Morony bid. This is proving to be a very frustrating process for everyone involved and we are doing everything we can to get an answer on this.

We are continuing negotiations in relation to the South Coast Correctional Centre. We are in dispute over the 117 staff, believing South Coast requires 125 staff. The SCCC delegates met at Henry Deane building on Wednesday, 26 July to put their case forward. It was a productive meeting and there is another meeting to be scheduled within the next week or two.

On Thursday, 27 July 2017 Nicole, Darren, Jason and Andrew Brown attended the first ever POVB Campaign Committee Meeting at PSA House. Delegates and members from around the state attended a full day’s training to develop plans for future campaigns. It was agreed to start two campaigns, one to target the issue of Privatisation and the other to look at promoting the image of the Prison Officer. It was reported to be a very productive meeting, and was great to see new and old faces wanting to get involved with fresh ideas and enthusiasm.

Also on Thursday, 27 July, myself, Dave McCauley and Julie Bond attended Tamworth Correctional Centre for their Benchmarking meeting. The meeting was also quite productive. The documents are still being reviewed, but at this early stage it appears to be quite a good outcome for the officers at TCC.

On Friday, 28 July 2017 Dave McCauley and Jason met with CESU Governor Craig Osland to discuss PPE and chemical munitions to CESU locations around the state. A comprehensive risk assessment was conducted at Wagga Wagga CESU by SOG Governor Steve Davis and highlighted the need for equipment. Mr Osland will put a submission to A/C Wilson for the purchase of equipment.

Discussions took place regarding the issue of some country locations still working ‘one out’ on B watches. However, this issue remains unresolved. Staff at those locations are still being encouraged to raise any incidents to the State Executive where Police are uncooperative to assist. When and if these issues arise, they will be raised with Mr Osland.

Last week all the POVB Executive members were assisting with new and old individual member issues, going through the documents for all of the centres currently going through Benchmarking.

I am continuing to build the members’ lists and will get those to all of the delegates once it is completed.

This coming week, the POVB Executive will be at St Heliers and also Cessnock for a tour of the Rapid Build facility and the benchmarking meeting.

I am waiting on confirmation of the date of the next Uniform Committee, so if anyone has any uniform-related enquiries, there is still time to send them to me.

We remind members that if they require any assistance, please don’t hesitate to email or call us on the numbers below.

Wishing you all a safe week,
Natalie Howes

POVB State Executive

Nicole Jess – 0427 609 199

Jason Charlton – 0401 500 976

Thor Sutherland – 0447 633 479

Natalie Howes – 0407 011 441

Darren King – 0407 935 039