Corrections Act 1997

The Minister may appoint persons as official visitors in accordance with this section.

A person appointed as an official visitor is to be – appointed for a term, not exceeding 3 years, specified in his or her instrument of appointment; and appointed on terms and conditions specified in his or her instrument of appointment; and paid such remuneration and allowances as the Minister may determine.

A person may be appointed as an official visitor to all prisons in the State.

The Minister may appoint a Coordinator of the Official Visitors Scheme.

The Coordinator of the Official Visitors Scheme is to ensure that each prison is visited at least once a month by an official visitor and, for that purpose, may establish a system for the coordination of visits to prisons by official visitors.

An official visitor is to – visit, either alone or with another visitor, any prison once a month or at any other time; and inquire into the treatment, behaviour and conditions of the prisoners and detainees in that prison; and receive and investigate any complaint of a prisoner or detainee.

While an official visitor is visiting a prison, the official visitor is not to directly interfere with, or give instructions with regard to, the management or disciplining of a correctional officer, a prisoner or detainee or a State Service corrections employee.

An official visitor may report to the Director or Minister on – the management or disciplining of a prisoner or detainee, or the conduct of correctional officers or State Service corrections employees, at a prison visited by the official visitor; or any matter relating to the treatment or condition of prisoners or detainees at that prison; or the state of the prison.

The Coordinator of the Official Visitors Scheme, as soon as practicable after 31 December in each year, is to give the Minister a report – on the inquiries or investigations made under subsection (4); and on the visits to prisons by official visitors; and on the activities of official visitors at prisons – in that year.

The Minister may, at any time, request the Coordinator of the Official Visitors Scheme to give the Minister a report – on the inquiries or investigations made under subsection (4); or on the visits to prisons by official visitors; or on the activities of official visitors at prisons; or on any other matter relating to official visits that the Minister requires.

A correctional officer and a State Service corrections employee is to give full assistance and cooperation to an official visitor.