OICS report on a serious fire at the AMC on 14 November 2020 released

The review of the serious fire incident on 14 November 2020 conducted by the Office of the ACT Inspector of Correctional Services found that the swift response by nightshift staff who extinguished the fire minimised property damage and ensured that no one was injured.

The ACT Inspector of Correctional Services, Neil McAllister, presented the review for tabling in the ACT Legislative Assembly today. The review makes four public and four confidential (security-related) recommendations.

Mr McAllister said, “The fire that occurred in Sentenced Cottage 2 on the night of 14 November 2020 was very serious and caused significant damage to the cottage.”

“It has also raised a major security issue of detainees being able to breach a locked door, which has since been addressed by ACT Corrective Services.”

“This fire could have put the lives of 28 detainees at risk and the Corrections Officers who responded to this potentially disastrous fire are deserving of public gratitude and recognition for a job well done”.

The review found some issues with the training of staff to deal with fires, access to the scene by ACT Fire and Rescue and the suitability of Corrections Officers’ normal uniforms in hazardous situations.

The report is available here.