Hon Robin Chapple questions the government on the progress of evaluating cooling options, risk assessment tools for heat-related illness, thermal comfort research, and data monitoring mechanisms for Roebourne Prison. The Department of Corrective Services states the issue is complex and research is ongoing.

AnsweredQoN 3975Legislative Council
Asked
24 March 2016
Portfolio
Corrective Services

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to question without notice No. 110 asked on 24 February 2016 to the Attorney General representing the Minister for Corrective Services, and I ask: (a) how long has the Government been evaluating cost effective cooling options for Roebourne Prison; (b) when was the evaluation initiated; (c) when is this evaluation expected to finalise; (d) how long has the Government been exploring the development of an appropriate risk assessment tool to assess heat related illness; (e) when was this research initiated; (f) when is this research expected to finalise; (g) what research has been done into other thermal comfort ranges used by other prison authorities; (h) what authorities are the Government working with to find applicable thermal conditions for Western Australia; (i) when was this research initiated; (j) when is this research expected to finalise; (k) how long has the Government been evaluating the feasibility of cost mechanisms to monitor and collect representative data in prisons; (l) when was this evaluation initiated; and (m) when is this evaluation expected to finalise?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
18 May 2016
Responded by
Attorney General representing the Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
55 days
The Department of Corrective Services (the Department) advises:
(a)-(m) The issue of thermal conditions (both heat and cold) in prisons across the State is complex and requires considerable research. The Department has conducted an initial environmental scan of relevant research data and other custodial sites, and is currently considering the next steps.
The Department continues to evaluate cost effective air cooling options at Roebourne Regional Prison in its July 2015 response to the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services’ Review into Thermal Conditions Of Prison Cells.

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