Hostage taking situation at the Alexander Maconochie Centre on 27 March 2021

9 November 2021

On the 27 March 2021, a detainee at the Alexander Maconochie Centre took another detainee hostage in his cell.  Thanks to effective rapport and communication skills, Corrections Officers were able to negotiate the release of the detainee who had been taken hostage. Fortunately, the hostage was physically unharmed, and a peaceful surrender occurred after about 90 minutes.

This was the first hostage situation at the AMC since it commenced operation in 2009. The review makes seven recommendations.

The review found that the situation was appropriately managed by ACT Corrective Services, however has raised concerns about the approval of the use of chemical agents in this incident. While it did not become necessary, a CO trained in the use of OC spray (pepper spray) was on standby to deploy it in the event the situation required immediate intervention. It is a matter of concern to OICS that currently, ACTCS does not have a notified policy or procedure specific to the use of chemical agents.

The review also identified a number of issues relating to existing policies and procedures for the management of a hostage situation, including lack of clear direction about when a victim’s family must be notified, and the role of health services in administering essential medications during such an incident.

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