CORONAVIRUS —
PRISONS — VIRTUAL VISITS
332. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the
Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the response to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
(1) What
additional or expanded options have been provided to facilitate virtual visits
following the suspension of visits at —
(a) Banksia Hill
Detention Centre; and
(b) other
corrections facilities?
(2) How often can prisoners or
young people use these communication platforms?
(3) Are there any costs involved
for the prisoners or detainees?
(4) Given current restrictions on
visits, are prisoners provided with any free phone calls?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) If yes to (4), how many?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank Hon Alison Xamon for some
notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister
for Corrective Services.
(1) (a) At
Banksia Hill Detention Centre an additional eight computers and webcams
provided to facilitate virtual visits will be operational by the end of the
week.
(b) At all other
facilities, Skype and e-visits facilitation is in place for each prison.
Processes are in place to increase services at facilities.
(2) Access to the services will be
available to prisoners and young people upon request.
(3) No. There is nil cost for
prisoners or young people.
(4) All prisoner and detainee
telephone calls are free.
(5) Not applicable.
(6) Access is
unrestricted for both young people and prisoners. However, some sites have
implemented roster systems to ensure access is equitable to all prisoners and
detainees.