BANKSIA HILL DETENTION
CENTRE — INSPECTOR OF CUSTODIAL SERVICES REPORT
352. Hon PETER COLLIER to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer the minister to Banksia
report 141, issued by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services,
and to his media release of 18 April 2022 titled ''$25.1 million
committed for Banksia Hill Detention Centre''.
(1) Does the
Labor government accept recommendation 2 of the report on an increased
welfare-focused workforce in the ISU and Cue Unit at Banksia Hill Detention
Centre?
(2) If yes to
(1), what steps have been taken to facilitate improved staffing for non-Aboriginal
young people?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
Hon MATTHEW SWINBOURN
replied:
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the
Minister for Corrective Services.
(1) The McGowan
government is investing $25.1 million towards improving services for youth in
detention as part of the 2022–23 state budget. This includes providing
funding of $3.6 million towards staffing an Aboriginal services unit that will
provide specific cultural support and services for Aboriginal youth in custody
at Banksia Hill, especially those from the regions. This funding will increase
the number of Aboriginal welfare officers and Aboriginal medical and mental
health workers by eight, bringing the total on
site to 12. Also included is funding for the redevelopment of one wing of the
intensive supervision unit—the ISU—as a temporary crisis
care area to provide an improved therapeutic response to young people in crisis, including improved exercise areas. The
budget includes funding of $7.5 million for the development of a purpose-built crisis care unit to provide a safe
and therapeutic environment to support vulnerable at-risk young people.
(2) Staffing at
Banksia Hill Detention Centre has been improved through three recent
entry-level training programs commencing on
site in December 2021, March 2022, and April 2022. A further three entry-level
training programs are scheduled for the remainder of 2022, with the next
commencing this month—that is, May 2022.
(3) Not applicable.