Minister blasted over prison transfer contract WESTERN Australia's Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis has been unable to verify allegations of price gouging by prisoner transfer services provider Serco, prompting accusations of incompetence and failure to manage the contract. The WA Prison Officers Union claims the British company has quoted the government "astronomical costs" to transfer prisoners for funerals, medical reasons and other special purposes. Serco purportedly quoted $40,000 to transport a prisoner 15km outside Broome, $12,000 to take one to a funeral at a cemetery 250m from the Roebourne prison, and $23,000 to fly a prisoner from Geraldton to Carnarvon for a funeral.