Tasmanian Prison Service Overtime
October 2026
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service says it’s not surprised by figures released by the Labor Party about the Tasmania Prison Services staffing shortages.
TALS CEO Jake Smith said staff shortages has led to regular lockdowns.
“The number of lockdowns has a massive impact on those in TPS custody,” Mr Smith said.
“We know programs are impacted that support rehabilitation, time out of cells and the ability to connect with family and culture – which is particularly important for Aboriginal people who are overrepresented.
“We also know firsthand that legal and other professional appointments and visits are impacted, which affect various things including the courts system,”
Mr Smith said the TPS “vision” is to improve the lives of those committed to their care and to deliver social and economic benefit to community.
“The impact of TPS staff shortages to the individuals in their care and cost of overtime clearly does not support the TPS vision.
“We have proposed several times over the past few years, justice reinvestment initiatives, including:
a bail support program that would reduce the high number of those in custody who are unsentenced on remand (particularly prevalent for the overrepresentation of Aboriginal People)
“This bail support program would improve outcomes for individuals, reduce the work at TPS with custody numbers, and improve staff ratios, yet time and time again this is overlooked.”
RTI figures released today by the Labor Party:
| Financial Year | Overtime | Overtime Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | $13,910,882 | 138,485.19 |
| 2025-2026 | $15,043.888 | 144,122.30 |
| 2026-2027* | $2,912,224 | 27,675.02 |