Corrective Services COVID-19 bungle leaves Mt Barker Bulls in the lurch after prisoners barred from playing in the Great Southern Football League

A Corrective Services bungle has left the Mt Barker Bulls without a “priceless” part of their football club halfway through the season after their Pardelup Prison Farm contingent was barred from participating in games. After inquiries from the Advertiser regarding the possibility of a positive story about Pardelup’s Section 95 program, it emerged Corrective Services Commissioner Tony Hassall was not aware prisoners were still playing in the Great Southern Football League, in contravention of COVID-19 guidelines. The Section 95 program allows certain prisoners to participate in Mt Barker games as players and boundary umpires. Last week, the Advertiser had expressed interest in writing a story about a former WAFL player who was swapping his prison greens for the green guernsey of the Mt Barker Bulls league side. The prisoner had played three games for the Bulls and been among their best. But on Sunday, Mr Hassall said he had ordered an “urgent review” of Section 95 programs across the State after learning Pardelup prisoners had been allowed to play football for Mt Barker. He said the activity did not receive the required approvals. “When I found out about that over the weekend, we put an immediate stop to it and we’re doing an urgent review across the prison system,” Mr Hassall told ABC radio yesterday. “It looks like a one-off case, which I hope it is.” When asked whether it was only one prisoner who had breached those guidelines, Mr Hassall said: “That’s all I’m advised it is at the moment but as I said, I’m getting the whole system checked just to make sure that is the case.” Since round two of the GSFL season, the Mt Barker Bulls have had up to five prisoners playing for their reserves or league teams, with others helping out with boundary umpiring. They have also trained with the club one night a week. Mt Barker Bulls league coach Brad Hook said losing the Pardelup contingent was a huge blow. “Volunteer-wise, they are priceless, running boundary and helping out,” he said. “We don’t have the volunteers up here in Barker.” Hook said the Section 95 program was a win-win for the prisoners and the club. “These guys are going to be on the outside soon that’s why they are in Pardelup,” he said. “I thought it was a huge benefit for these guys ... They are such an integral part of our game day. “I am positive Mt Barker Football Club will follow it up to see what we can do to get them back.”