Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 352 asked in the Legislative Council on 10 May 2022 by Hon Peter Collier

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

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.