The new Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community Safety has visited Langi Kal Kal prison as more past and current staff come forward with allegations about the failings of management and culture over an extended period of years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While the department has told The Courier 'it is common for senior departmental staff to visit the prisons and Justice Service Centres in the Grampians Region', and The Courier understands the new secretary, Rebecca Falkingham, was appointed earlier this year in light of departmental changes, the visit follows other senior departmental staff attending the prison last week.
Ms Falkingham was accompanied by former departmental deputy secretary Ryan Phillips and two senior staff. Corrections Victoria Deputy Commissioner, Custodial Services Rod Wise also attended the prison during the week, as did Assistant Commissioner, Custodial Services Andrew Reaper.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Corrections Victoria's toxic culture near Ballarat: staff speak out
The visits also follow the return of 'operational oversight of prison performance and staffing matters' to Corrections Victoria and its Commissioner Dr Emma Cassar.
Previously the prisons had been under the control of the Regional Service Network (RSN), a management body incorporated within the department, created to 'work in collaboration with program areas and communities to deliver justice services that are efficient, effective and address the needs of clients and the community,' according to the Department of Justice and Regulation (now Department of Justice and Community Safety) 2017-18 annual report.
The Courier has seen weekly reports from the general manager of Langi Kal Kal prison Catherine Darbyshire encouraging staff to support each other 'while the prison remains the focus of local media'.
OUR LATEST CASE STUDY: My colleague was drunk at work, but I was bullied
In part, Ms Darbyshire's 'GM Weekly Update' reads: 'We want to talk about the good people and good work that happens at Langi Kal Kal. We want to talk about the strong, caring and safe men and women in our workforce - those who advocate for equity and who support one another as equals. It is tempting to want to tell another side of a story or to defend our actions from the past.'
The update follows an email sent to staff describing the allegations made in The Courier's stories as 'regarding historic concerns'.
At this time The Courier has withheld allegations made by current staff about their treatment for legal reasons.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
