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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-30 Daily Xml
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CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:42): On what basis does the government consider that mattresses placed before the riot are not an occupational health and safety risk when it has accepted after the riot that they are?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:42): We have always been open and up-front about this. Clearly there was an agreement beforehand on a day-to-day basis with the PSA in relation to those beds. It does not mean that there are three prisoners in a cell, like some people are trying to suggest, as that is not the case. I am also told that some prisoners actually prefer it that way. Clearly it is not something that is common place and should not be, but apparently sometimes that happens, as well. Again, there is spare capacity across the system.

From memory, there are 52 free beds today for men and 13 for women, and no prisoners are housed in any holding cells, other than the Adelaide City Watch-house. We have placed on record on many occasions that this is not necessarily ideal, but it is closely monitored and used only when it is necessary. It has not been used this year. The honourable member wanted to visit the Watch-house, but he could not do so because there was nobody there for him to visit. However, since the major incident we have had to reopen it again. Those numbers and the conditions are being closely monitored and the Ombudsman is able to go through any time he wishes.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: I have asked to go through the Watch-house.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: You have asked and it has been accommodated because now you can actually see somebody there, but previously there was nobody there for the honourable member to see.

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