Correctional Services

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:42): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General a question regarding the justice portfolio.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: As part of its justice budget announcements, the government has announced $226.7 million in additional prison capacity, equating to a total of 352 additional beds; $3.4 million in funding over four years for post-release supported accommodation; and $5.1 million in funding over four years for Lemongrass Place Community Transition and Learning Centre, amongst other audiovisual and additional resources for the public sector and Crime Stoppers.

My question to the Attorney is: what, if any, additional funding has the government committed to rehabilitation and treatment programs for incarcerated individuals, both in the adult and minor jurisdiction, and is this government committed to providing funding for similar programs for individuals on remand pending the outcome of their trials?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for her questions. Most of the programs that are run in our prisons are run by the Department for Correctional Services. I will be happy to refer most of the substance of the questions to my colleague, the member for Kavel, the minister for corrections.

I do know that there is a significant investment in programs within our prisons. One of the items that the honourable member mentioned that was part of the budget was a continuation of the Lemongrass program at Port Augusta Prison, which I have a level of familiarity with, as it is a program that is particularly directed at Aboriginal prisoners in Port Augusta. I am very pleased to see that funding in this year's budget, but in relation to specific rehabilitation programs that already occur in our prisons, I will be happy to refer that question on to my colleague in another place and bring back a reply.