C.S. Hare Centre

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:20): I have a supplementary question. Are these new facilities disability accessible? Also, will the provision of these facilities and new standards prevent a future case like the one we saw of prisoner Jacqui, who was reportedly handcuffed for 22 hours of the day for most of the eight months she spent at Yatala in 2011?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:20): I thank the honourable member for her important supplementary question. These facilities undoubtedly better equip the Department for Correctional Services to be able to handle high-needs prisoners. You refer to a specific incident that occurred some time ago. This facility, as I am advised, really gives the Department for Correctional Services a facility that is able to accommodate and deal with those prisoners who find themselves in a high acute needs area.

Having spoken to the staff who will be using this facility, they are extremely excited about the capability that this new facility offers to be able to deal with those people who have really high needs and find themselves in vulnerable situations and other circumstances. Undoubtedly, this facility goes a long way to be able to deal with circumstances like the one that you referred to.

With respect to the first part of your question, I am more than happy to take that on notice and look at whether or not it complies with a whole range of disabilities standards, but more specifically I can assure you that this facility undoubtedly goes a long way to being better equipped to handle a whole range of different circumstances, including those people who suffer disabilities who fall within the state's care.