WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding the number and placement of inmates with disabilities in WA prisons, particularly Riverbank Detention Centre. The Minister's response highlights Riverbank's specialized programs and individual needs-based placement.

AnsweredQoN 392Legislative Council
Asked
7 November 2000
Portfolio
Justice

QuestionView source ↗

(1) How many inmates are currently held at Riverbank Detention Centre? (2) How many inmates at Riverbank have been identified or classified as having - (a) an intellectual disability; or (b) a physical disability? (3) What percentage of inmates held at - (a) Casuarina Prison; and (b) Hakea Prison have been identified as having an intellectual or physical disability? (4) Does the Ministry of Justice have a policy that prisoners identified as having an intellectual or physical disability will serve their sentences at Riverbank Detention Centre? Hon PETER FOSS

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Fifty-six. (2) (a) Sixteen. (b) Three. (3) (a) Intellectual disability - 2 per cent of Casuarina and Hakea Prisons. (b) Physical disability - Hakea 3.12 per cent and Casuarina 3.39 per cent. (4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.
(2) How many inmates at Riverbank have been identified or classified as having - (a) an intellectual disability; or (b) a physical disability? (3) What percentage of inmates held at - (a) Casuarina Prison; and (b) Hakea Prison have been identified as having an intellectual or physical disability? (4) Does the Ministry of Justice have a policy that prisoners identified as having an intellectual or physical disability will serve their sentences at Riverbank Detention Centre? Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Fifty-six. (2) (a) Sixteen. (b) Three. (3) (a) Intellectual disability - 2 per cent of Casuarina and Hakea Prisons. (b) Physical disability - Hakea 3.12 per cent and Casuarina 3.39 per cent. (4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.
(b) a physical disability?
(b) Hakea Prison have been identified as having an intellectual or physical disability?
have been identified as having an intellectual or physical disability?
Hon PETER FOSS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Fifty-six. (2) (a) Sixteen. (b) Three. (3) (a) Intellectual disability - 2 per cent of Casuarina and Hakea Prisons. (b) Physical disability - Hakea 3.12 per cent and Casuarina 3.39 per cent. (4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Fifty-six. (2) (a) Sixteen. (b) Three. (3) (a) Intellectual disability - 2 per cent of Casuarina and Hakea Prisons. (b) Physical disability - Hakea 3.12 per cent and Casuarina 3.39 per cent. (4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.
(1) Fifty-six. (2) (a) Sixteen. (b) Three. (3) (a) Intellectual disability - 2 per cent of Casuarina and Hakea Prisons. (b) Physical disability - Hakea 3.12 per cent and Casuarina 3.39 per cent. (4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.
(2) (a) Sixteen. (b) Three. (3) (a) Intellectual disability - 2 per cent of Casuarina and Hakea Prisons. (b) Physical disability - Hakea 3.12 per cent and Casuarina 3.39 per cent. (4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.
(b) Three. (3) (a) Intellectual disability - 2 per cent of Casuarina and Hakea Prisons. (b) Physical disability - Hakea 3.12 per cent and Casuarina 3.39 per cent. (4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.
(3) (a) Intellectual disability - 2 per cent of Casuarina and Hakea Prisons. (b) Physical disability - Hakea 3.12 per cent and Casuarina 3.39 per cent. (4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.
(b) Physical disability - Hakea 3.12 per cent and Casuarina 3.39 per cent. (4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.
(4) Placement of prisoners with intellectual and physical disabilities is determined on an individual needs basis. Under the current selection criteria, offenders with a physical or intellectual disability or those who are vulnerable are considered suitable for placement at Riverbank. The system at Riverbank has been described by Baroness Vivien Stern as world’s best practice, and particularly the way it handles prisoners with disabilities. Very good programs are in operation. People with disabilities tend to be ignored in the major prison systems, whereas in this system we are able to do something for them. I am pleased that this prison has been so described.

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