PRISONER REHABILITATION

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:15): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government, on behalf of the Minister for Correctional Services, a question about prisoner rehabilitation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: Since taking on the role of shadow minister for corrections I have been overwhelmed by the amount of feedback I have received about how this government needs to lift its game in regard to providing effective prisoner rehabilitation.

I say from the outset that I am a strong believer in being tough on crime and that convicted criminals must serve their time. Violent offenders and sex offenders, in particular, have no place in our society and deserve to face the full force of the law. However, we need to be mindful that the majority of prisoners will eventually be released back into society at some stage and that effectively rehabilitating these people within the confines of prison benefits us all.

What I have noticed in feedback from people in the know—people with an intimate knowledge of our prison system, as well as prisoners—is that the focus on rehabilitation is steadily decreasing. Recently, a female prisoner wrote to me to detail that, since 2001, she has seen the focus on rehabilitation decrease within the Adelaide Women's Prison. She detailed that recently prisoners were told that they would no longer have access to a psychologist except in crisis situations or unless the prisoner is mentally challenged. She also detailed concerns about the lack of programs and training offered within prison—concerns which are shared by many people I have spoken to since becoming shadow minister for corrections. My questions are:

1. Does the minister stand by his comments made on radio 891 on 7 April that prisoners can get psychological help when they need it and that prisoners will be offered the services they need, or will he admit that more resources are needed immediately?

2. Will he commit to ensuring that corrections staff and specialists such as prison psychologists are quarantined from impending Public Service cuts flagged by the Treasurer and his so-called razor gang?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (15:17): The honourable member asked me to refer to some comments made by my colleague the Minister for Correctional Services on 7 April. Clearly, I will have to refer those questions to him in order to get a specific reply.

Let me say generally that this government recognises the importance of rehabilitation programs within our correctional services. One of the easiest things in government is to find areas to spend money on. I am sure that anyone here could easily spend billions of dollars on very well worthwhile projects right across the whole field of government. However, government has to deal within the budget constraints that it is subject to and meet its requirements accordingly.

As I pointed out in question time yesterday, it is always easy for members to say, 'We want more money for this,' and 'We want more money for that.' However, the government has to weigh up all the priorities. There is enormous need right across government and we understand that, but there is also no great overwhelming willingness on behalf of voters that I have noticed to contribute extra taxation to pay for many of the things we want. Government has to determine those priorities accordingly.

As I said, while it is easy to ask for more dollars to be spent in particular areas, I notice that members opposite are never as forthcoming in suggesting how we might pay for the things they want us to do. I will refer the specifics of the questions to my colleague in another place and bring back a reply.