Statement by the Hon. Bruce Lander QC
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption

One of my statutory functions is to evaluate the practices, policies and procedures of inquiry agencies and public authorities with a view to advancing comprehensive and effective systems for preventing or minimising corruption, misconduct and maladministration in public administration.

I have delegated those functions and powers (amongst others) to the Deputy Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, Mr Michael Riches.

Commencing today Deputy Commissioner Riches will conduct an evaluation of the practices, policies and procedures of the Department for Correctional Services.

Statement by Mr Michael Riches
Deputy Independent Commissioner Against Corruption

The Department for Correctional Services plays an important role in South Australian public administration. The unique functions the Department performs and the complex and challenging environment in which it operates raises significant corruption risks.

It is critical that the Department carries out its functions in a manner that minimises the risks of corruption, misconduct and maladministration and that it has effective integrity measures to protect its staff, prisoners and the public.

An evaluation is a useful means of gaining an in depth understanding of a public authority’s operations and how it guards against risks of corruption, misconduct and maladministration. The evaluation will offer an opportunity to make recommendations for improvements while highlighting innovative and effective approaches to integrity risks.

The scope of the evaluation will be as follows:

  1. The extent to which the Department’s governance framework adequately guards against the risks of corruption, misconduct and maladministration.
  2. The Department’s practices, policies and procedures in respect of human resource management and whether those practices, policies and procedures efficiently manage human resources and control the risks of corruption, misconduct and maladministration.
  3. The Department’s practices, policies and procedures in respect of information management and whether those practices, policies and procedures ensure the accuracy and integrity of information whilst protecting the misuse of information.
  4. The unique integrity risks associated with a custodial environment and whether the Department’s practices, policies and procedures adequately safeguard against those risks.

It may be necessary for me to amend the scope of the evaluation as it progresses.

The evaluation will conclude with the provision of a report to both Houses of Parliament.

In the coming months I will invite submissions which are relevant to the scope of the evaluation from members of the public and interested stakeholders. Information about making a submission will be published on the ICAC website (icac.sa.gov.au) in due course.

I will publish information received during the course of the evaluation on the ICAC website to the extent that it is appropriate.

It is important to emphasise that an evaluation of practices, policies and procedures is not an investigation of individual conduct. To the extent that matters are identified which require investigation, they will be dealt with separately and in accordance with legislation.

While I cannot set a definitive timeframe for the evaluation I hope to be in a position to deliver a report to Parliament by the end of this year.

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For media enquiries please contact 0428 389 493 or media@icac.sa.gov.au.
The publication of this information has been authorised by the Commissioner under section 56 of the ICAC Act.

Related Downloads:
ICAC Public Statement - 3 Feb 2020