Abuse of Prisoners in New South Wales 1943-1976 (From Wayward Governance: Illegality and Its Control in the Public Sector, P 27-46, 1989, by P. N. Grabosky -- See NCJ-121829)

• NCJ Number: 121830
• Author(s): P N Grabosky
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

Beatings of prisoners by correctional staff and other abuses of prisoners in New South Wales led to an investigation and subsequent changes in prison management.

Abstract

Although penal methods in New South Wales changed substantially from the routine brutality of the early 19th century, prison tensions during World War II led to the establishment of brutal penal methods at the Grafton Prison. Prisoners were systematically beaten upon their arrival at the prison and experienced further beatings for rule infractions. More dramatic and visible incidents of violence took place at the Bathurst Prison in 1970 and 1974. Media attention to the allegations of violence led to the appointment of a commission and the subsequent issuance of the Nagle Report. This report strongly criticized corrections management and the resulting brutality toward prisoners and low morale among correctional staff. The resulting reforms improved conditions for prisoners, although abuses continued and strikes by prison guards occurred. Currently the relations between staff and management have improved and the cooperative demeanor of prisoners has enabled the institutions to function without major disruptions. However, in the last decade the public has become increasingly unsympathetic to prisoners, and growing prison populations and tensions raise the potential for future problems. 10 references.