Western Australia’s longest-serving Inspector of Custodial Services, Neil Morgan, has retired following more than a decade of independent oversight of the State’s correctional facilities and operations.
Professor Morgan was WA’s second inspector and began his tenure on March 30, 2009 after teaching law at the University of Western Australia, serving on the State’s parole board and as Director of Research for the Western Australian Law Reform Commission project on Aboriginal Customary Law.
His legal and research background served Professor Morgan well in the independent inspection and review of Western Australia’s jails, work camps, youth detention centres, and systemic issues.
Professor Morgan’s advocacy included highlighting the overcrowding of WA’s jails, the management of the Banksia Hill Detention Centre, Aboriginal deaths in custody, the treatment of women, and the State’s work camps and prison farms.
He was a strong and public voice for prisoners, their families, other advocates, and delivered his recommendations with the highest ideals in the mind.
Professor Morgan will return to academia as an adjunct professor at the Universities of Western Australia, and Singapore.
The former executive director of Professional Standards and Conduct at the Department of Education, Eamon Ryan, took over as the new Inspector of Custodial Services on May 4, 2019.
As stated by Corrective Services Minister Francis Logan:
“I wish Professor Morgan all the best as he returns to academia, and thank him for the significant contribution he has made to the management and best practices of Western Australia’s custodial services.
“He has overseen substantial reform of Western Australia’s corrective services, which have been shaped in part by his strong, independent advocacy and his just and legal mind.
“The fact that Western Australia has the highest level of oversight by an independent body is thanks to Professor Morgan’s tireless efforts and fierce advocacy.
“I have enjoyed a positive and constructive relationship with Professor Morgan that has helped inform government policy and day-to-day practices.
“Our corrective services are better off, due in no small part to Professor Morgan’s tenure as the State’s longest-serving Inspector of Custodial Services.
“I look forward to working with Professor Morgan’s replacement Eamon Ryan, as we continue to address the legacy issues in corrective services.”
