‘Right people’ needed for Treatment of Offenders Board
A government-appointed board that deals with the rehabilitation and supervision of prisoners is to get new members after two resignations in the space of a few days.
Komieko Roberts, the Treatment of Offenders Board chairwoman, told The Royal Gazette last week that she was still “trying to wrap her head around” the departures of deputy chairman Paul Wilmot, a government backbencher, and board member Charlene Webb “just two days apart”.
However, she said she had full confidence in the commitment of the remaining board and a belief that Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, would appoint new members as swiftly as possible.
“It’s definitely not a disaster, it’s not that extreme [but] we will require appointments to replace those who have found themselves in a place of resignation,” noted Ms Roberts.
Ms Wilkerson said in a statement that efforts to “restore the board to full statutory complement in the near term” were under way.
She said that legislation to “enhance” the board’s operations was being considered.
The Treatment of Offenders Board Act 1979 requires it to have no fewer than ten members, but the two resignations leave only seven active. An eighth member is on extended medical leave.
Ms Roberts previously flagged up the gaps in the board’s last annual report, when she wrote that there were “unfortunately” no new appointments in 2024, primarily owing to “delays in the appointment process” and the board moving from the Ministry of National Security to the Ministry of Justice.
“As a result, the board has consisted of only eight members throughout the past year,” she wrote, noting that it no longer met the Act’s requirement to have some members with expertise in medicine, psychology, law or education.
Ms Roberts, an entrepreneur, told the Gazette that the time commitment for board members was significant, with twice-monthly meetings and at least eight “rota visits” a year for each member to the island’s three corrections facilities.
The stipend per day for members is fixed at $50, regardless of how long a meeting or visit lasts.
Recently passed legislation will see that increase to $80.
“If you are not in it 1,000 per cent, this is not the board for you,” said Ms Roberts, adding that it was difficult for those with full-time jobs to give so much time.
She said serving on the board could be frustrating, as progress was slow, and those involved needed to have a “desire and a heart to effect change”.
In the annual report, she wrote that the board repeatedly flagged up concerns about “facility conditions” and “structural deficiencies” at the corrections facilities, adding: “The lack of response has led the board to conclude that ongoing reporting of the same unresolved structural issues has become unproductive.
“As such, the board has resolved to redirect its focus in 2024 towards deeper engagement with inmates, emphasising rehabilitation, wellbeing and programming; areas where we believe our efforts can have a more immediate and meaningful impact.”
She told the Gazette: “It’s quite difficult and I applaud our team. When I did receive the resignations, while I understood it, it was disheartening.”
Ms Roberts said it was about time that the board received greater recognition, suggesting it had a “really bad name” among inmates “who don’t think we do enough”.
She added: “We don’t have a whole lot of autonomy. Obviously, our hands are tied in making things happen for them.”
Ms Roberts claimed that some corrections officers and members of the general public saw the Treatment of Offenders Board as “not punitive enough” in dealing with breaches of prison rules, but added that they were not privy to the deliberation process.
“A lot is factored in. We really take our time,” she pointed out.
Mr Wilmot, who became the MP for Warwick North Central in the February 2025 General Election, said he resigned from the board after almost a decade because it was time for “new people, bringing new energy”.
He added: “I will still do my part where I can.”
Ms Wilkerson thanked the outgoing members for their service, confirmed “steps to address the vacancies are already under way” and acknowledged the board's composition “fell below the legislated threshold” during 2024.
She became the justice minister in September 2024 and made three appointments to the board last year.
Ms Wilkerson said: “An exercise is actively under way to restore the board to full statutory complement in the near term.
“The chair's observations [in the annual report] were taken seriously and I have taken the necessary steps to ensure the board's operational concerns are being addressed as a matter of priority.”
She said that the incoming appointments would be “competency led, assessed against” the disciplines specified in the Act “as practicable”.
“The objective is not simply to fill seats but to appoint the right people with the right qualifications and experience,” the minister added.
Ms Wilkerson, who is the Government leader in the Senate, said that the stipend did “not adequately reflect the demands placed on board members”.
She added: “Meetings can consume an entire working day and, additionally, members conduct regular facility visits.
“The ministry is actively reviewing the compensation structure to match the work done.”
Ms Wilkerson praised the existing board for its diligence, adding: “ … the ministry continues to work towards appointing additional members to the board as well as review the legislation with a view to enhance the operations of the board.”
• To see the board’s last annual report, see Related Media
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