Yatala Labour Prison

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON (15:11): My questions are to the Minister for Emergency and Correctional Services regarding prisons:

1. Why has there been a series of violent assaults, including with the use of weapons, at Yatala since the minister was appointed?

2. Is the minister concerned about reports that figures show—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON: I wouldn't find this funny. I am glad that the government finds it so comical—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON: —that there is an increase of inmate and correctional officer assaults. They clearly don't take it seriously, and it's appalling.

2. Is the minister concerned about reports that figures show inmate and correctional officer assaults have more than doubled in the last 12 months?

3. What action has the minister taken to ensure the safety of corrections officers in light of the lawlessness descending on their workplace?

4. What action has the minister taken to ensure safety of other prisoners in light of this behaviour in Yatala?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for her question. In my six or seven weeks that it's been now I have shown a lot of interest in this space because I want to ensure that we can have a safe workplace for our prison workforce but also a safe space for our prisoners. Prisons, as you would be aware—you have shown a lot of interest in going to our prisons in South Australia—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: As a visitor, I would like to confirm.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: As a visitor, as far as I am aware, that was why you were going. I have lost my train of thought now.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: We need to be making sure that these are a safe work environment and that is why I had immediate conversations with people to make sure that we are putting steps into place, and I am glad that those steps have been taken. It's a really important thing to be doing because we need to have a safe work environment for people. We know that there is much to be done here. That is the point I was going to make: when you have been visiting our prisons, you would know, as I do and as many people in this chamber would know, it is not your everyday workplace. Putting that aside, it is not acceptable for someone to be going to work and not feeling safe, and that is why we are looking into this particular matter.