❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks details on spending for vocational training, education, and rehabilitation programs in prisons for 2008-09 and 2014-15, and whether prisoners contributed to course costs. The response provides some figures but notes limitations in data comparability and collection.
AnsweredQoN 3386Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) For each Western Australian prison, in each of the years 2008-09 and 2014-15, what was the total spending on: (a) vocational training courses; (b) educational courses; and (c) rehabilitation programs? (2) Were prisoners required to contribute to the cost of any courses or programs in either of those years? (3) If yes to (3), which courses/programs, which year and how much was the contribution?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 October 2015
Responded by
Attorney General representing the Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
34 days
The Department of Corrective Services advises:
(1)(a)-(b) 2008-09 - $8,502,274
2014-15 - $9,358,111.
Spending on education and vocational training programs are not separately recorded as all training falls under nationally accredited vocational training.
The Department cannot provide the figure for each individual prison.
(c) It is not possible to compare spending on rehabilitation between 2008-09 and 2014-15 because of major changes in the way that this figure is calculated, which has been reflective of changes in Departmental structures.
In 2014/15 $16, 439,124 was spent on rehabilitation programs. This number does not include rehabilitation programs at Acacia, the State's largest prison, and Wandoo. It is estimated that Acacia spends approximately $5 million on rehabilitation programs.
(2)-(3) The Department provides access to a range of voluntary courses for prisoners, the majority of which are offered at no cost.
Some voluntary courses can involve a prisoner contribution towards the cost of the course. The types of voluntary courses which are subject to payment by a prisoner include:
- Drivers Licence fees;
- Royal Life Saving Society fees arising from the completion of First Aid Certificate courses;
- Working at Heights and Confined Spaces;
- Traffic Management ;
- Tertiary Studies; and
- Certificate IV and Diploma Courses.
If a prisoner elects to participate in a course provided by an external party with fees attached, the prisoner would be required to contribute to the cost of participation. The costs contributed by the prisoner are not captured by the Department as the fees are usually paid directly to the external training provider or relevant third party.
(1)(a)-(b) 2008-09 - $8,502,274
2014-15 - $9,358,111.
Spending on education and vocational training programs are not separately recorded as all training falls under nationally accredited vocational training.
The Department cannot provide the figure for each individual prison.
(c) It is not possible to compare spending on rehabilitation between 2008-09 and 2014-15 because of major changes in the way that this figure is calculated, which has been reflective of changes in Departmental structures.
In 2014/15 $16, 439,124 was spent on rehabilitation programs. This number does not include rehabilitation programs at Acacia, the State's largest prison, and Wandoo. It is estimated that Acacia spends approximately $5 million on rehabilitation programs.
(2)-(3) The Department provides access to a range of voluntary courses for prisoners, the majority of which are offered at no cost.
Some voluntary courses can involve a prisoner contribution towards the cost of the course. The types of voluntary courses which are subject to payment by a prisoner include:
- Drivers Licence fees;
- Royal Life Saving Society fees arising from the completion of First Aid Certificate courses;
- Working at Heights and Confined Spaces;
- Traffic Management ;
- Tertiary Studies; and
- Certificate IV and Diploma Courses.
If a prisoner elects to participate in a course provided by an external party with fees attached, the prisoner would be required to contribute to the cost of participation. The costs contributed by the prisoner are not captured by the Department as the fees are usually paid directly to the external training provider or relevant third party.
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