South Australian Prisons

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:01): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services regarding the South Australian prison system.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: It has been reported that Mr Edwin James Hinrichsen, one of the convicted murderers who killed Mr Michael Purse, was detained in the low-security Cadell Training Centre and, not surprisingly, this has outraged his family. It's understood Mr Hinrichsen has since been moved to a medium-security facility after this matter was made public and it was discovered his detention was in a low-security facility. I note the minister in response to this issue told the media at the time that this matter will be 'subject to thorough review'. My questions to the minister are:

1. Has the minister made inquiries as to how and why Mr Hinrichsen was placed in a low-security facility and, if so, what was the reasoning behind that extraordinary decision?

2. Will the outcome of the review into this case that she has promised be made public?

3. Will the minister publicly call out this inexplicable decision?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:02): Community safety and the rights and needs of victims are of paramount importance to this government. When I heard of this incident, particularly regarding Jeffrey Purse's concerns that were being raised, I telephoned him in the evening of 22 May, and we had a good conversation, one that I valued deeply.

I also invited him to meet with me and the Deputy Chief Executive of the Department for Correctional Services the following morning on 23 May, where he once again shared his story with the Department for Correctional Services and other members as well. I am grateful to Jeffrey for raising this issue. My sincere condolences obviously go to him and his family for the tragic loss of Michael.

I am advised the prisoner in question has been moved to a higher security prison while a review is undertaken. I am advised that the review is expected to be completed by the end of June, and I will also be seeking input from Jeffrey and his family.