A parliamentary question regarding rising prison numbers in WA, specifically concerning the impact of repealing transitional provisions and the housing of maximum-security prisoners before Derby prison opens. The Minister's response provides updated estimates and general statements about housing.

AnsweredQoN 921Legislative Council
Asked
22 September 2009
Portfolio
Corrective Services

QuestionView source ↗

PRISONS — PRISONER NUMBERS
I refer to the unprecedented rise in the prison muster under this government. (1) Does the minister stand by his 4 December 2008 prediction that the repeal of the transition provisions is likely to increase the average prisoner population by only 604 over five years? (2) How many more maximum-security prisoners does the minister anticipate will enter the system before Derby prison is opened? (3) Where will these new maximum-security prisoners be housed in the meantime? Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Corrective Services advises — (1) More recent estimates regarding the effect of the repeal of what were known as the “transitional provisions” were set out during the Legislative Assembly budget estimates process on 26 May 2009. These estimates did not take into account the effect of recent decisions of the Prisoners Review Board on the prison population and have been subsequently updated. (2) Although it is possible to make broad estimates regarding total yearly increases in the prison population, no ability exists to predict what the percentage of possible annual growth will be in each category of minimum, medium and maximum security. (3) All incoming prisoners assessed as maximum security will be detained in maximum-security facilities. I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.
(1) Does the minister stand by his 4 December 2008 prediction that the repeal of the transition provisions is likely to increase the average prisoner population by only 604 over five years? (2) How many more maximum-security prisoners does the minister anticipate will enter the system before Derby prison is opened? (3) Where will these new maximum-security prisoners be housed in the meantime? Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Corrective Services advises — (1) More recent estimates regarding the effect of the repeal of what were known as the “transitional provisions” were set out during the Legislative Assembly budget estimates process on 26 May 2009. These estimates did not take into account the effect of recent decisions of the Prisoners Review Board on the prison population and have been subsequently updated. (2) Although it is possible to make broad estimates regarding total yearly increases in the prison population, no ability exists to predict what the percentage of possible annual growth will be in each category of minimum, medium and maximum security. (3) All incoming prisoners assessed as maximum security will be detained in maximum-security facilities. I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.
(2) How many more maximum-security prisoners does the minister anticipate will enter the system before Derby prison is opened? (3) Where will these new maximum-security prisoners be housed in the meantime? Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Corrective Services advises — (1) More recent estimates regarding the effect of the repeal of what were known as the “transitional provisions” were set out during the Legislative Assembly budget estimates process on 26 May 2009. These estimates did not take into account the effect of recent decisions of the Prisoners Review Board on the prison population and have been subsequently updated. (2) Although it is possible to make broad estimates regarding total yearly increases in the prison population, no ability exists to predict what the percentage of possible annual growth will be in each category of minimum, medium and maximum security. (3) All incoming prisoners assessed as maximum security will be detained in maximum-security facilities. I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.
(3) Where will these new maximum-security prisoners be housed in the meantime? Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Corrective Services advises — (1) More recent estimates regarding the effect of the repeal of what were known as the “transitional provisions” were set out during the Legislative Assembly budget estimates process on 26 May 2009. These estimates did not take into account the effect of recent decisions of the Prisoners Review Board on the prison population and have been subsequently updated. (2) Although it is possible to make broad estimates regarding total yearly increases in the prison population, no ability exists to predict what the percentage of possible annual growth will be in each category of minimum, medium and maximum security. (3) All incoming prisoners assessed as maximum security will be detained in maximum-security facilities. I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.
Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Corrective Services advises — (1) More recent estimates regarding the effect of the repeal of what were known as the “transitional provisions” were set out during the Legislative Assembly budget estimates process on 26 May 2009. These estimates did not take into account the effect of recent decisions of the Prisoners Review Board on the prison population and have been subsequently updated. (2) Although it is possible to make broad estimates regarding total yearly increases in the prison population, no ability exists to predict what the percentage of possible annual growth will be in each category of minimum, medium and maximum security. (3) All incoming prisoners assessed as maximum security will be detained in maximum-security facilities. I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Corrective Services advises — (1) More recent estimates regarding the effect of the repeal of what were known as the “transitional provisions” were set out during the Legislative Assembly budget estimates process on 26 May 2009. These estimates did not take into account the effect of recent decisions of the Prisoners Review Board on the prison population and have been subsequently updated. (2) Although it is possible to make broad estimates regarding total yearly increases in the prison population, no ability exists to predict what the percentage of possible annual growth will be in each category of minimum, medium and maximum security. (3) All incoming prisoners assessed as maximum security will be detained in maximum-security facilities. I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.
(1) More recent estimates regarding the effect of the repeal of what were known as the “transitional provisions” were set out during the Legislative Assembly budget estimates process on 26 May 2009. These estimates did not take into account the effect of recent decisions of the Prisoners Review Board on the prison population and have been subsequently updated. (2) Although it is possible to make broad estimates regarding total yearly increases in the prison population, no ability exists to predict what the percentage of possible annual growth will be in each category of minimum, medium and maximum security. (3) All incoming prisoners assessed as maximum security will be detained in maximum-security facilities. I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.
(2) Although it is possible to make broad estimates regarding total yearly increases in the prison population, no ability exists to predict what the percentage of possible annual growth will be in each category of minimum, medium and maximum security. (3) All incoming prisoners assessed as maximum security will be detained in maximum-security facilities. I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.
(3) All incoming prisoners assessed as maximum security will be detained in maximum-security facilities. I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.
I should add that that answer is current as at 16 September.

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