PRISON CONDITIONS

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the Minister for Disabilities regarding prisoners with disability.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: It has been reported by Michael Owen in The Australian, and David Bevan and Matthew Abraham on ABC breakfast radio, that two prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities have been shackled to their beds for up to 20 hours per day for almost 10 months in the Yatala Labour Prison. It has been reported that South Australia may have to pay to have these people looked after in Victoria because after 10 years of a Labor government we have no capability in South Australia. My questions to the minister are:

1. When did you become aware of these two disgraceful cases?

2. What action did you take?

3. Do you acknowledge that this government's treatment of these prisoners who have impaired capacity is totally unacceptable?

4. Why, after 10 years of a Labor government, are we looking to Victoria to accommodate these people?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. At the outset it is important to say that responsibility for people in the corrections system lies with the Minister for Correctional Services in the other place. However, I can say that the 2012-13 state budget has committed $3.5 million for the construction of a 26 bed high dependency unit at Yatala Labour Prison. In addition to accommodating aged and infirm prisoners, the unit will also be designed to house prisoners with disability or those with a mental illness.

A high dependency unit is needed to provide a secure and safe environment and meet the department's duty of care to these prisoners. Currently there is limited capacity within the prison system to provide appropriate facilities and supervision for prisoners who are elderly or have a physical disability. For prisoners with mental health issues, the HDU will provide a setting where custodial and clinical staff can deliver treatment in an environment that is appropriate, safe and secure.

There is a growing population of longer-term prisoners who require intensive supervision and care. As part of the 'Prisoners in Australia' report, the ABS figures show that the average age of the state prisoner population has increased by about five years, on average, from 2001 to 2011. The total cost of the HDU is $6.5 million, with further money for the project sourced from within existing budgets of the Department for Correctional Services, I am advised, and no other programs or services will be defunded or cut to pay that amount of money. Construction of the HDU is expected to commence in 2013.