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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 1085 asked in the Legislative Council on 27 October 2022 by Hon Dr Brad Pettitt

Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Corrective Services
Parliament: 41 Session: 1


Question

I refer to Unit 18 in Casuarina Prison, and I ask:
(a) since 20 July 2022, how many children and young people in total have been held for some period at Unit 18 to date;
(b) for each child or young person in (a), could the Minister please provide:
(i) how many times they have been transferred to Unit 18; and
(ii) the length of time they were detained at Banksia Hill Detention Centre before each transfer to Unit 18;
(c) please provide how many children and young people in (a), (b)(i), and (b)(ii), identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
(d) what process is in place to determine a the suitability of a young person to be transferred to Unit 18, and who is involved in determining suitability and making the decision to transfer a young person?

Answered on 29 November 2022

Answer (a) and (c)

Table 1. Number of distinct young people held in custody at Unit 18 between 20 July 2022 and 31 October 2022, by Aboriginality.

Aboriginality

Distinct Young People

Aboriginal

23

Non-Aboriginal

6

Total

29

 Answer (b)(i) and (c)

Table 2. Number of distinct young people held in custody at Unit 18 between 20 July 2022 and 31 October 2022, by Aboriginality and number of transfers to Unit 18.

 

Distinct Young People

Aboriginality

1 Transfer

2 Transfers

3 Transfers

Aboriginal

12

11

-

Non-Aboriginal

3

2

1

Grand Total

15

13

1

 Answer (b)(ii) and (c)

Table 3. Young people held in custody at Unit 18 between 20 July 2022 and 31 October 2022, by Aboriginality, number of transfers to Unit 18 and days at Banksia Hill prior to each transfer to Unit 18.

 

 

 

Days at Banksia Hill prior to transfer to Unit 18*

Young Person ID

Aboriginality

Transfers to Unit 18

1st Transfer

2nd Transfer

3rd Transfer

1

Aboriginal

1

8

-

-

2

Aboriginal

1

18

-

-

3

Aboriginal

1

27

-

-

4

Aboriginal

1

31

-

-

5

Aboriginal

1

34

-

-

6

Aboriginal

1

43

-

-

7

Aboriginal

1

44

-

-

8

Aboriginal

1

57

-

-

9

Aboriginal

1

78

-

-

10

Aboriginal

1

139

-

-

11

Aboriginal

1

143

-

-

12

Aboriginal

1

195

-

-

13

Aboriginal

2

1

0

-

14

Aboriginal

2

1

8

-

15

Aboriginal

2

1

16

-

16

Aboriginal

2

16

1

-

17

Aboriginal

2

33

36

-

18

Aboriginal

2

49

6

-

19

Aboriginal

2

71

0

-

20

Aboriginal

2

72

6

-

21

Aboriginal

2

78

9

-

22

Aboriginal

2

83

20

-

23

Aboriginal

2

231

35

-

24

Non-Aboriginal

1

12

-

-

25

Non-Aboriginal

1

31

-

-

26

Non-Aboriginal

1

84

-

-

27

Non-Aboriginal

2

42

7

-

28

Non-Aboriginal

2

82

6

-

29

Non-Aboriginal

3

47

3

4

* In these columns an entry of:

·         “-“ reflects that the young person did not have a transfer into Unit 18 of this type;

·          “0” reflects that the young person was received into Banksia Hill and transferred to Unit 18 on the same day.

No young person came to Unit 18 without first being received at Banksia Hill.

Answer (d)

Young people at Banksia Hill Detention Centre (Banksia Hill) who demonstrate a significant risk at that facility whereby Banksia Hill cannot safely and securely manage them are referred for assessment.

The process in place at Banksia Hill to determine the suitability of a young person to be transferred to Unit 18 includes assessment against the criteria derived from the Young Offenders Act 1994 and informed by a Multi-Disciplinary Team consisting of Psychological Services, Mental Health, Primary Health, Aboriginal Youth Support Officers, Case Planning and senior operational staff.

The Superintendent of Banksia Hill makes the final decision whether a young person is transferred to Unit 18 considering the assessment made by the Multi-Disciplinary Team.

 

 

Supplementary Information:

Answer (d)

All members actively contribute to the multi-disciplinary assessment of the young person’s needs, bringing together key stakeholders who play a critical role in the development and implementation of individual plans, which guide and inform their ongoing support and management.

The key areas considered within the referral and assessment process include:

·   Analysis of involvement in incidents, at risk behaviours, known risks to and from other young people and or staff.

·   Legal status and access to legal supports.

·   Review of existing specialist supports.

·   Known disabilities, age, level of maturity, cultural background, cultural or kinship supports and needs, family and in-reach support.

·   Review of referrals and management in line with the At-Risk Management System for non-suicidal self-injury behaviours. 

·   Where appropriate, the young person’s view.