Hearing Health

531 Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (24 June 2021). Is addressing hearing conditions such as otitis media, one of the ways the government is looking to reduce Indigenous incarceration rates?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier): I have been advised:

SA Health works closely with Aboriginal community controlled health organisations and communities to promote the benefits of ear health screening with the aim of increasing these health checks.

Ear health screening for Aboriginal populations features as part of the Medicare Item No. 715 health check.

The Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services has been advised that on entering the prison system, all prisoners are assessed in conjunction with the South Australian Prison Health Services, and private prison health officers.

A range of health services are available for prisoners. Any medical issues, including those that relate to audiology and/or issues of the ear, are referred to health staff.

In relation to reducing Indigenous incarceration rates, the Department for Correctional Services (DCS) continues to progress the ‘Reducing Reoffending: 10% by 2020’ (‘10by20’) strategy.

The 10by20 strategy is currently demonstrating a downward trend in reducing recidivism.

The Marshall government is also providing programs designed for Aboriginal offenders such as the ‘Violence Prevention Program—AM’, a culturally informed program for Aboriginal men with a significant focus on cultural identity.

The government has provided DCS with funding for several budget initiatives as part of our ongoing commitment to 10by20, in addition to Closing the Gap strategies to reduce the rate of Aboriginal reoffending and overrepresentation in the criminal justice system.