YOUTH DETENTION —
RIP-PROOF VESTS AND GOWNS
1129. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the use of rip-proof
vests or gowns in youth detention.
(1) On how many
occasions has a rip-proof vest or gown been used at Banksia Hill Detention
Centre and unit 18 respectively this year?
(2) What is the
longest amount of time a child or young person has been left wearing a rip-proof
vest or gown at Banksia Hill Detention Centre and unit 18 respectively this
year?
(3) What is the
protocol that needs to be followed for the removal of a rip-proof vest or gown
on a child or young person in youth detention?
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 reporting
of the provision of rip-proof clothing to young people is not captured by the
department.
(2) The reporting
of the time a young person is provided rip-proof clothing is not captured by
the department.
(3) Young people
who present with non-suicidal self-injury or suicidal behaviour are managed in
line with the department's at-risk management system for youth, or
ARMS. All young people under ARMS remain in their regular clothing when
possible. Only in exceptional and rare circumstances in which a young person
cannot be prevented from engaging in suicidal behaviour may it prove necessary
to provide them with tear-proof clothing.
The method of suicidal behaviour is considered prior to determining the need
for tear-proof clothing. To this end, tear-proof clothing is indicated
only when a young person is attempting self-strangulation using materials such
as that from clothing. Young people remain in tear-proof clothing only for the
minimum period required, until they have stabilised. The decision to place a young
person in tear-proof clothing needs to be with the authorisation of the
superintendent. The decision to then place a young person back in regular
clothing can be made only by the superintendent or the at-risk assessment
group.