Prison Capacity

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (15:25): I will ask another supplementary responding to that. Given that our prisons have an approved maximum capacity of 2,500 and the minister has previously outlined emergency surge capacity totalling 99 extra beds, and given that the number he said is now over 2,600, where have those extra prisoners been housed over and above the identified surge capacity cells?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:25): The question I was asked a moment ago was: was that figure reached some time ago? The figures vary from day to day. I am not suggesting that the figure is the same today or even higher; in fact I think it was down. As I have outlined to the house on a number of occasions, we have a number of strategies to accommodate surge situations.

Ms Chapman: What, the Royal Adelaide Hospital morgue waiting room?

The SPEAKER: Deputy leader!

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: I can reassure the house that any order imposed by a court is actually implemented by my agency in terms of custody of our prisoners and our community can feel safe. I can't say that that is true if the Liberal government—

Mr GARDNER: Supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary, member for Morialta.

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is warned for the second and final time.