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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-02-21 Daily Xml
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PRISONER EDUCATION

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (15:01): Can the Minister for Correctional Services inform the house about what the government is doing to improve literacy and numeracy amongst prisoners, and how participation in this and other programs such as sex offender rehabilitation is being encourage and supported?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Finance, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:01): I thank the member for Fisher for the question. Mr Speaker, we know that prisons are largely populated by people who have lower levels of literacy and numeracy than the general community. This in turn means that many prisoners are unsuitable for the general workplace, placing them at greater risk of reoffending.

It is a challenge for correctional systems around the world to raise educational levels and thereby create opportunities for vocational training that limit reoffending. A 2007 study by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research found that approximately 62 per cent of prisoners have deficits in their literacy levels to the point of being classified as less than functional.

In 2010, the Department for Correctional Services in South Australia assessed 150 prisoners on their literacy and numeracy levels. Three quarters of those assessed were found to have literacy and numeracy skills below functional levels; meaning, beneath that of a year 8 student. The government's response was to make enhancing literacy and numeracy levels a high priority for the department.

To support the identification and prioritising of prisoners with poor literacy and numeracy, a common screening tool was developed and is now being utilised in all prisons in South Australia. Prisoners identified with very low levels of literacy and numeracy are provided with intensive one-on-one support. The results speak for themselves.

The Australian Government Productivity Commission Report on Government Services, released in January, shows that South Australia's correctional system leads the nation for the fifth year in a row by recording the lowest rate of reoffending or returning to prison. South Australia also scored top marks in educating prisoners, with 46 per cent of eligible prisoners participating in education and training courses.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call the member for Stuart to order.

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: Mr Speaker, literacy and numeracy are the essential building blocks for vocational training. I again thank the member for Fisher for his question. The member for Fisher initiated an inquiry into the juvenile justice system in 2003, which the member chaired. I was fortunate to be a member of that select committee, as were the Minister for Health, the member for Bragg and member for Heysen.

Although not addressed in the recommendations of the select committee, I think it would be fair to say all members became painfully aware of the extremely poor rates of literacy and numeracy among juvenile offenders, particularly Indigenous youth. I am particularly pleased, as the new Minister for Correctional Services, that this issue is being addressed in our adult facilities in the focused and determined manner that has resulted in the outcomes highlighted in the Productivity Commission Report.

The SPEAKER: The 12th opposition question of the day goes to the member for Morphett.

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