House of Assembly: Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Contents

DISABLED PRISONERS

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:56): With a few seconds to go on the clock, I might have to slow down a bit here. My question is to the Minister for Disabilities. Why are some people with disabilities, even though they have not been found guilty of an offence due to mental impairment, being held in prisons—more specifically, being held in protected areas with sex offenders? The Public Advocate reported that there is a specific matter of a person with a disability being held in prisons because of a lack of forensic facilities in a protected area with sex offenders.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (15:57): I know about the particular matter the member for Morphett refers to. I don't think it's appropriate for me to canvass in the chamber the issues of the particular individual involved, but it is an issue which has been brought to my attention. It is a matter which I am looking seriously into.