A WA parliamentary question comparing the conditions of convicted felons in prison to those in hotel quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically regarding access to fresh air and exercise. The Minister confirms prisoners have access and defends hotel quarantine.

AnsweredQoN 889Legislative Council
Asked
10 September 2020
Portfolio
Corrective Services

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS —
QUARANTINE ARRANGEMENTS
889. Hon PETER COLLIER to
the minister representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
My question without notice is asked
on behalf of Hon Simon O'Brien, who is otherwise occupied!
(1) Do convicted felons in the state's
prisons have access to fresh air?
(2) Are convicted felons able to get
out of their cells to take exercise on at least a daily basis?
(3) If yes to (1)
and (2), will the minister consider giving advice to the Premier as to how the
same basic dignities might be extended to the innocent Western Australians
confined in hotel quarantine?
The DEPUTY PRESIDENT : The
Minister for Environment, and no unruly interjections!

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the
Minister for Corrective Services.
(1)–(2) Yes.
(3) The use of
hotel quarantine for people returning from higher risk destinations is to
continue to protect Western Australians from acquiring COVID-19. Confinement to
hotel quarantine is for a short time. The impact of COVID-19 can be widespread,
long-lasting and fatal.

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