Unwell female prisoner was naked in Perth prison transfer

A distressed and mentally unwell female prisoner was transported naked and handcuffed in the back of a vehicle from Bandyup Women’s Prison to Graylands Hospital.

When the door of the vehicle was opened at Graylands’ secure Frankland unit, the young Aboriginal woman, who was menstruating at the time, was covered in blood, sources claim.

The incident last August is still being investigated by the Department of Justice. WA’s Inspector of Custodial Services Neil Morgan said he learnt about the case very quickly.

“It’s one of those (cases) where you hear the basic facts and you ask yourself the question: would that be all right if that was my mum or my sister. I think the natural human reaction is no,” he said.

When the inmate reached Graylands Hospital, 30km from Bandyup Prison in Middle Swan, staff there were concerned at her state.

“There were a number of people who became aware of it very quickly and that includes (my office), the Mental Health Advocacy Service and also the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist,” Professor Morgan added.

His office has now launched a review into the transport of prisoners with mental health problems to the Frankland Centre.

The review would address “processes prisons put in place to ensure safe and humane transport” and whether there were “other cases of significance as well”.

“Our review will ask the question: is this the sort of thing that happens frequently or was it an unusual occurrence?” he said. “And it will look at what processes they’ve put in place now to basically ensure this doesn’t happen again?”

It is understood that immediately after the incident a notice was issued to all prison superintendents reminding them of their responsibilities under the Mental Health Act when transporting prisoners with mental illnesses.

The custodial operations broadcast stated: “A member of the mental health team is to attend the location whenever a prisoner is being transferred on a Form 1A to Graylands Hospital and will participate in the clearance process. If there is no mental health staff on shift, then a clinical nurse will attend.

“All movements are to pass through reception. There are to be no movements directly between special purpose units such as a Crisis Care Unit to an awaiting vehicle unless approved by the designated superintendent or delegate.

“Force is not to be used to facilitate a transfer without a plan being approved by the designated superintendent or delegate.”

On Friday, a Department of Justice spokesman said: “The transportation of a female prisoner from Bandyup Women’s Prison to the Frankland Centre was raised with Acting Commissioner Tony Hassall who, in consultation with director-general Adam Tomison, referred the matter to the independent Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services.

“Acting Commissioner Hassall also launched an internal investigation. At this stage, it would be inappropriate to comment further while this matter is being investigated.”

Private contractor Broadspectrum took over responsibility for prisoner transport last year. No one from the contractor was available for comment yesterday. Professor Morgan said he expected to complete his own report by June.

Chairman of WA’s Deaths in Custody Watch Committee Merv Eades said he was appalled to learn about the incident.

“This is just not on. It’s disgraceful,” he said. “I’m glad you found out about this.”