Correctional Services, Forensic Patients

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:32): I appreciate it not being appropriate to say where particular prisoners are, but I am interested to know whether this cluster of prisoners is co-located; that is, whether the DCS runs some sort of wing dedicated to forensic patients, or whether they are dispersed across institutions?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:32): Again, I will take this on notice for the sake of accuracy. What I can say, generally, is that different prisons serve different needs. Naturally, even within prisons there are different sections that serve different needs and have different capabilities. The state government has over time been investing in different areas within prisons to be able to better accommodate those people with health needs. For instance, early last year, the state government opened a rather expensive facility at Yatala Labour Prison to be able to better deal with the health needs of some prisoners, including their mental health needs.

Different prisons provide different services. Naturally, it will be varied. Again, I am happy to seek some clarity on whether it is possible—again, I want to be sure on this—that there are some prison institutions that simply would not take on forensic mental health patients and that therefore there are some that are more likely to have them than others. I will get a comprehensive list and provide that to the honourable member.