House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-10-28 Daily Xml

Contents

Prisoner Early Release

Mr BATTY (Bragg) (14:31): My question is to the Minister for Correctional Services. Has the minister imposed any limitations on her chief executive's discretion to release the prisoner on home detention? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr BATTY: Section 37A of the Correctional Services Act provides the power for the minister to limit the discretion which may include the exclusion of prisoners sentenced for a specific class of offence or any other class of prisoners from release on home detention.

The Hon. R.K. PEARCE (King—Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:31): As I have just advised, there has been a process in place and ultimately there has been a decision that has been made by the acting CE, who has the ultimate power to be able to make a decision in matters such as these. The steps that I have taken are to reiterate to the department and also to the CE how important it is that victims are taken into consideration on these matters, as much as it is important that the sentencing remarks and prior history are taken into account. This has been a matter that has been reviewed by the acting CE and she agrees that home detention in this case should not be granted. It does not meet community expectations based on the circumstances that have been presented, and I am supportive of that decision.