Prisoner accommodation capacity definitions

Purpose

To formally document built capacity numbers for every custodial centre to be used for internal and external reporting purposes; and

To ensure the consistent use of terminology and counting rules for internal and external reporting of prisoner bed capacity for Queensland Corrective Services facilities.

1.    Process

The reporting of prisoner bed capacity by Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) staff or in reports generated via the Integrated Offender Management System (IOMS) must comply with the counting rules and terminology stipulated in this procedure.

Any reference to built capacity numbers must refer to the figures in appendix – Built capacity counts for corrective services facilities to this procedure.

All references to built capacity must be qualified by a reference to built cell capacity.

The use of bed and cell groupings and terminology outside those defined in this procedure should be desisted.

Any changes to counting rules, terminology or built capacity figures in this procedure or its appendix must be amended in accordance with ~ Procedure – Procedure Development and Approval Process.

The System Configuration Executive Group (SCEG) will have the responsibility of identifying changes to prisoner accommodation capacity and will make representation to the Executive Leadership Team for approval. Once approved, the SCEG Working Group will make any necessary updates to the appendix – Built capacity counts for corrective services facilities.

2.    Terminology

The following terms are defined and should be used for internal and external reporting of prisoner accommodation capacity-

• Built cell capacity
• Built bed capacity
• Commissioned cell capacity
• Commissioned bed capacity
• Approved operating bed capacity

2.1.       Built cell capacity

2.1.1.   Built cell capacity is defined as – the total number of built prisoner accommodation cells.

2.1.2.   A ‘buddy’ cell built for two people is counted as one built cell.

2.1.3.   The following are included in the count of built cell capacity –

(i)        permanent prison accommodation;

(ii)       special purpose accommodation where a general purpose cell is not reserved for the prisoner to return to on completion of the order, e.g. pre-assembled buildings, Maximum Security Units, Advanced Care Units and the modified secure cell block at Brisbane Women’s currently used as a Safety Unit (S4);

(iii)      cells that are temporarily unavailable for use due to maintenance or refurbishment; and

(iv)      cells that, for operational reasons, are not being used for prisoner accommodation as designed, e.g. used as a store room.

2.1.4.   When a whole prison or entire unit has been decommissioned, a decision for inclusion will be determined by the Commissioner and will be assessed on the basis of work required to recommission the accommodation.

2.1.5.   The following are excluded in the count of built cell capacity –

(i)        special purpose accommodation where a general purpose cell is reserved for a prisoner to return to on completion of the order, e.g. Detention Units, Health Centre Units, and some Safety Units; and

(ii)       Work Camp Beds (temporary prison accommodation).

2.1.6.   Built cell capacity for low security facilities is based on the number of designated bed places in shared cells or dormitories.

2.2.       Built bed capacity

2.2.1.   Built bed capacity is defined as – the number of built prisoner accommodation bed places in single, shared cells and dormitories.

(i)        A single cell is a cell or room designed for occupancy for a single person

(ii)       A shared cell is a cell or room designed for occupancy for two or more people

2.2.2.   A ‘buddy’ cell designed for two people is counted as two built beds.

2.2.3.   A dormitory is a room designed for occupancy for more than four people.

2.2.4.   The following are included in the count of built bed capacity –

(i)        permanent prison accommodation;

(ii)       special purpose accommodation where a general purpose bed is not reserved for the prisoner to return to on completion of the order, e.g. pre-assembled buildings, Maximum Security Units, Advanced Care Units and the modified secure cell block at Brisbane Women’s Safety Unit (S4);

(iii)      sections of facilities that have been temporarily decommissioned or sections of new facilities not yet commissioned

(iv)      beds that are temporarily unavailable for use due to maintenance or refurbishment

(v)       beds that, for operational reasons, are not being used for prisoner accommodation as designed, e.g. used as a store room

(vi)      Work Camp beds

(vii)    permanent built bunks

2.2.5.   When a whole prison or entire unit has been decommissioned, a decision for inclusion will be determined by the Commissioner and will be assessed on the basis of work required to recommission the accommodation.

2.2.6.   The following are excluded in the count of built bed capacity –

(i)        additional bedding that has been placed in any type of accommodation over and above designed bed capacity, e.g. temporary bunk beds, mattresses and trundles; and

(ii)       special purpose accommodation where a general purpose bed is reserved for a prisoner to return to on completion of the order, e.g. Detention Units, Health Centre Units, and some Safety Units.

2.2.7.   The current built bed capacity for high and low security facilities is shown in appendix – Built capacity counts for corrective services facilities.

2.3.       Commissioned cell capacity

2.3.1.   Commissioned cell capacity is defined as – the built cell capacity minus the number of cells in any prisoner accommodation units, areas or blocks that are closed and not ready to accommodate prisoners, i.e. decommissioned.

2.3.2.   Commissioned cell capacity will be the same as built cell capacity in centres where all built prisoner accommodation is open and ready to accommodate prisoners.

2.4.       Commissioned bed capacity

2.4.1.  Commissioned bed capacity is defined as – the built bed capacity minus the number of beds in any prisoner accommodation units, areas or blocks that are closed and not ready to accommodate prisoners, i.e. operationally decommissioned.

2.4.2.  Commissioned bed capacity will be the same as built bed capacity in centres where all built prisoner accommodation is open and ready to accommodate prisoners.

2.5.       Contracted bed capacity

2.5.1.   Contracted bed capacity is defined as – the number of prisoner accommodation bed places that a private operator is contracted to operate at a facility.

2.5.2.   Contracted bed capacity can include any type of beds, built or temporary, as long as they are included in the contractual arrangements.

2.5.3.   Contracted bed capacity can be above or below the built bed capacity of a facility.

2.6.       Approved operating bed capacity

2.6.1.   Approved operating bed capacity is defined as – the number of beds available to accommodate prisoners as determined by operational needs and constraints.

2.6.2.   Approved operating bed capacity can take into account control, security and the efficient operation of a facility.

2.6.3.   The following are included in the count of approved operating bed capacity –

(i)        additional bedding that has been placed in any type of accommodation over and above the built bed capacity, e.g. temporary bunks, mattresses and trundles; and

(ii)       total work camp beds in use at any one time i.e. if two work camps have a total of 24 built beds (12 built beds each) but these two camps rotate fortnightly as to which one is operational, only 12 beds in total would be considered the approved operational bed capacity.

2.6.4.   The following are excluded in the count of approved operating bed capacity –

(i)        beds in sections of facilities that have been temporarily decommissioned; and

(ii)       beds/cells that, for operational reasons, are not being used for prisoner accommodation as designed, e.g. unserviceable cells, cells used as a store room or as a day toilet.

2.6.5.  Special purpose beds, e.g. Detention Units, Health Centre Units, and some Safety Units, are generally not included in approved operating bed capacity.

2.7.       Centres to be included in counts

2.7.1.   The following are included in the calculation of prisoner accommodation capacity counts:

(i)        All corrective services facilities, except for the Princess Alexandra Hospital Secure Unit (PA Secure Unit); and

(ii)       All work camp beds.

James Koulouris

Deputy Commissioner, Organisational Capability

Authority

• ~ Corrective Services Act 2006, s. 265

Appendices and Forms

• ~ Built capacity counts for corrective services facilities

Procedures

• Not applicable

Policies

• Not applicable

Ownership: Operational Policy and Practice Development Group

Version History

1 July 2019