Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-11-02 Daily Xml

Contents

Prisoner Mail Screening

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:02): Supplementary. I wasn't talking about isolation; I was talking about whether he might lose his rights to send further mail.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:02): I am not aware, and I haven't received any recent advice regarding whether or not sending mail is a privilege or a right. Clearly, there would be occasions where prisoners having regular contact through written correspondence with family and the like is appropriate and, indeed, to be encouraged so that they can maintain social links with the outside community, which will assist with their transition back to the community. I am happy to go back and, along with Mr Wade's specific question, seek advice as to whether or not in this instance the prisoner's ability to send mail has been withdrawn, if indeed it can be.