❓ Hon Alison Xamon raises concerns about inadequate interpretation services for Indonesian prisoners at Albany Regional Prison. The Minister responds by outlining existing support for staff language training and reliance on the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) National, and the plan to house Indonesian prisoners at Broome Regional Prison.
AnsweredQoN 5932Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services publication
Report of an Announced Inspection of Albany Regional Prison
, June 2012, and to the finding that 'suffers from an inability to utilise sufficient interpretation and translation services when engaging with the Indonesian prisoner population', and that this 'presents unacceptable risks in terms of security, care and wellbeing, health and safety', and I ask —
(1) Will the Minister ensure that prison staff members who have indicated a willingness to undergo language training are supported and encouraged to do so?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Are any other strategies proposed to tackle this problem?
(4) If yes to (3), what strategies are proposed?
(5) When is it expected that any proposed strategies will be in place?
Report of an Announced Inspection of Albany Regional Prison
, June 2012, and to the finding that 'suffers from an inability to utilise sufficient interpretation and translation services when engaging with the Indonesian prisoner population', and that this 'presents unacceptable risks in terms of security, care and wellbeing, health and safety', and I ask —
(1) Will the Minister ensure that prison staff members who have indicated a willingness to undergo language training are supported and encouraged to do so?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Are any other strategies proposed to tackle this problem?
(4) If yes to (3), what strategies are proposed?
(5) When is it expected that any proposed strategies will be in place?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 September 2012
Responded by
Minister for Education representing the Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
35 days
(1) The Department of Corrective Services (the Department) actively acknowledges the role staff play in assisting with basic information provision in languages other than English.
For example, Albany Regional Prison (Albany) has recently approved a small number of staff to attend an Indonesian Language course at TAFE. Despite TAFE withdrawing the course last semester, Albany has pledged to fully support staff who are willing to attend this course in the future, which includes the provision of funding and an allocation of time to complete the course during work hours.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Department of Immigration and Citizenship operates an interpreting service called the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) National. TIS operates 24 hours, seven days a week to all States and Territories in Australia in some 170 languages and dialects. TIS is the national body with responsibility for establishing the requirements for the accreditation of interpreters and translators in Australia, and service provision.
To ensure that only accredited persons are used to provide translation and interpreter services, the Department has almost exclusively used TIS to facilitate such services in prisons. The Department fully supports the use of this service for prisoners where required.
On 22 August 2012, the WA Government announced that Broome Regional Prison would primarily house Indonesian national prisoners sentenced by the federal Government. This will assist in maximising opportunities to provide improved delivery of services such as interpreters, cultural and ethnic considerations and staff training to support the Indonesian cohort.
(4)-(5) Not applicable.
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For example, Albany Regional Prison (Albany) has recently approved a small number of staff to attend an Indonesian Language course at TAFE. Despite TAFE withdrawing the course last semester, Albany has pledged to fully support staff who are willing to attend this course in the future, which includes the provision of funding and an allocation of time to complete the course during work hours.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Department of Immigration and Citizenship operates an interpreting service called the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) National. TIS operates 24 hours, seven days a week to all States and Territories in Australia in some 170 languages and dialects. TIS is the national body with responsibility for establishing the requirements for the accreditation of interpreters and translators in Australia, and service provision.
To ensure that only accredited persons are used to provide translation and interpreter services, the Department has almost exclusively used TIS to facilitate such services in prisons. The Department fully supports the use of this service for prisoners where required.
On 22 August 2012, the WA Government announced that Broome Regional Prison would primarily house Indonesian national prisoners sentenced by the federal Government. This will assist in maximising opportunities to provide improved delivery of services such as interpreters, cultural and ethnic considerations and staff training to support the Indonesian cohort.
(4)-(5) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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