❓ Mr. Logan questions the Minister for Corrective Services regarding security threats at Banksia Hill Detention Centre related to ongoing construction, following an escape. The Minister details remedial actions and defends the government's record on prison escapes.
AnsweredQoN 368Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BANKSIA HILL
DETENTION CENTRE — ESCAPES
368. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the Minister for Corrective Services:
I congratulate the minister on his appointment.
I refer to the escape of two inmates from Banksia Hill
Detention Centre, one of whom is still at large.
(1) Is the
minister aware that his ministerial predecessor was made aware of the security
threat posed by the construction site inside the facility?
(2) When
exactly was the current minister made aware of the security threat posed by the
construction site inside the facility?
(3) What did
the minister specifically do in relation to the threat posed by the
construction site inside the facility once he was made aware of it?
Several
members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Cockburn, Minister for Housing, I formally call you both to order for the first
time today. The question is to the Minister for Corrective Services. I do not
expect a conversation to erupt between other members in this place, no matter
what it is about.
DETENTION CENTRE — ESCAPES
368. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the Minister for Corrective Services:
I congratulate the minister on his appointment.
I refer to the escape of two inmates from Banksia Hill
Detention Centre, one of whom is still at large.
(1) Is the
minister aware that his ministerial predecessor was made aware of the security
threat posed by the construction site inside the facility?
(2) When
exactly was the current minister made aware of the security threat posed by the
construction site inside the facility?
(3) What did
the minister specifically do in relation to the threat posed by the
construction site inside the facility once he was made aware of it?
Several
members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Cockburn, Minister for Housing, I formally call you both to order for the first
time today. The question is to the Minister for Corrective Services. I do not
expect a conversation to erupt between other members in this place, no matter
what it is about.
AnswerView source ↗
(1) I think it
is important that the house recognise that the people of Western Australia have
said to the government that they want criminals off the streets. As a result of
that request, there has been a $655 million spend to build additional capacity
in our prisons. The situation is that there are some challenges in relation to
building capacity, including at Banksia Hill, where there are some new
facilities being built. As I mentioned in my brief ministerial statement, there
are some challenges in relation to getting people in and out of the prison. As
we well know, on Thursday there was a breach of security and two prisoners
escaped from the Banksia Hill facility. Remedial action was immediately taken
by the emergency support group, which is the equivalent of the tactical
response group if we look at it from a police perspective. It is highly
trained, and was put in place to support staff at that location to ensure that
security is maintained. The sally port was immediately secured after sustaining
some significant damage, including damage to three roller doors. I visited the
facility yesterday with the Commissioner of Corrective Services and the
Inspector of Custodial Services, inspected the site, spoke to people at the
location and got a full handle on what was going on in respect of that
particular matter. As a result of negotiations between the staff there and the
Department of Corrective Services, a 3.6-metre fence will be put in place to
ensure security. In addition, the ESG is working 24 hours a day. It will take
about three weeks to put that additional security in place. While I was there
yesterday we were able to gauge at firsthand the mood of the place, if you
like, and I must say that it reflects on the professionalism of the people at
that facility that some sense of normality has returned.
(2) In respect of
when and where I was advised, the member will appreciate that I have responsibility
for a number of prisons. There are a number of challenges at a number of
different locations in respect of builds, and a security plan has been put in
place for each of those locations. I am quite confident about the manner in
which that was conducted.
(3) I have called
for a full investigation —
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER : The member
for Cockburn knows that he will have an opportunity to ask a supplementary
question; other members in this place might want to ask questions.
Mr M.J. COWPER : I
have called for a full investigation into the circumstances. I do not want to
pre-empt what might come out of that investigation, but I want to reassure the
people of Western Australia and the members of this house that steps have been
put in place to ensure that this does not happen again. Let us just have a look
at the figures in relation to escapes in recent times; I think it is important.
For the purposes of the Hansard record, let it be known that in 2006–07, there were 24 escapes; in 2007–08,
29; in 2008–09, under the Liberal–National government, the
number was reduced to 11; in 2009–10, it was again reduced to three; in
2010–11, it was 10; and so far this year, including the ones the other
day, five. Over the last four years, the total number of prisoners who have
escaped does not even equal one year under the previous government. I think
that record speaks for itself.
is important that the house recognise that the people of Western Australia have
said to the government that they want criminals off the streets. As a result of
that request, there has been a $655 million spend to build additional capacity
in our prisons. The situation is that there are some challenges in relation to
building capacity, including at Banksia Hill, where there are some new
facilities being built. As I mentioned in my brief ministerial statement, there
are some challenges in relation to getting people in and out of the prison. As
we well know, on Thursday there was a breach of security and two prisoners
escaped from the Banksia Hill facility. Remedial action was immediately taken
by the emergency support group, which is the equivalent of the tactical
response group if we look at it from a police perspective. It is highly
trained, and was put in place to support staff at that location to ensure that
security is maintained. The sally port was immediately secured after sustaining
some significant damage, including damage to three roller doors. I visited the
facility yesterday with the Commissioner of Corrective Services and the
Inspector of Custodial Services, inspected the site, spoke to people at the
location and got a full handle on what was going on in respect of that
particular matter. As a result of negotiations between the staff there and the
Department of Corrective Services, a 3.6-metre fence will be put in place to
ensure security. In addition, the ESG is working 24 hours a day. It will take
about three weeks to put that additional security in place. While I was there
yesterday we were able to gauge at firsthand the mood of the place, if you
like, and I must say that it reflects on the professionalism of the people at
that facility that some sense of normality has returned.
(2) In respect of
when and where I was advised, the member will appreciate that I have responsibility
for a number of prisons. There are a number of challenges at a number of
different locations in respect of builds, and a security plan has been put in
place for each of those locations. I am quite confident about the manner in
which that was conducted.
(3) I have called
for a full investigation —
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER : The member
for Cockburn knows that he will have an opportunity to ask a supplementary
question; other members in this place might want to ask questions.
Mr M.J. COWPER : I
have called for a full investigation into the circumstances. I do not want to
pre-empt what might come out of that investigation, but I want to reassure the
people of Western Australia and the members of this house that steps have been
put in place to ensure that this does not happen again. Let us just have a look
at the figures in relation to escapes in recent times; I think it is important.
For the purposes of the Hansard record, let it be known that in 2006–07, there were 24 escapes; in 2007–08,
29; in 2008–09, under the Liberal–National government, the
number was reduced to 11; in 2009–10, it was again reduced to three; in
2010–11, it was 10; and so far this year, including the ones the other
day, five. Over the last four years, the total number of prisoners who have
escaped does not even equal one year under the previous government. I think
that record speaks for itself.
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