Mr. Johnson questions the Minister for Corrective Services about potential staff cuts to the prison counselling service, citing the Mahoney report's findings on its importance and recommendations against staffing changes. The Minister claims to be unaware of the matter and unable to assist.

AnsweredQoN 936Legislative Assembly
Asked
30 November 2006
Portfolio
Corrective Services

QuestionView source ↗

DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIVE SERVICES - PRISON COUNSELLING SERVICE
I thought the minister deserved at least one question this year! I refer to the minister’s recent proud acknowledgment of the 12-month anniversary of the tabling of the report of the Mahoney inquiry. (1) Is it true that Mr Mahoney’s report found that the prison counselling service plays an important role in the prevention of suicide and of re-offending behaviours by prisoners? (2) Is it not also true that Mr Mahoney’s report recommended no change to the current staffing levels within the prison counselling service? (3) Given the importance of counselling, why is it that yesterday more than one-third of the prison counselling service staff were unceremoniously told that their contracts would not be renewed after 31 January due to the fact that the minister’s department is over budget? Ms M.M. QUIRK

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for his question and his concern about what is a very significant issue. I am unable to assist. I am not aware of that matter. I would have been grateful had the question been put on notice,
(1) Is it true that Mr Mahoney’s report found that the prison counselling service plays an important role in the prevention of suicide and of re-offending behaviours by prisoners? (2) Is it not also true that Mr Mahoney’s report recommended no change to the current staffing levels within the prison counselling service? (3) Given the importance of counselling, why is it that yesterday more than one-third of the prison counselling service staff were unceremoniously told that their contracts would not be renewed after 31 January due to the fact that the minister’s department is over budget? Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: I thank the member for his question and his concern about what is a very significant issue. I am unable to assist. I am not aware of that matter. I would have been grateful had the question been put on notice,
(2) Is it not also true that Mr Mahoney’s report recommended no change to the current staffing levels within the prison counselling service? (3) Given the importance of counselling, why is it that yesterday more than one-third of the prison counselling service staff were unceremoniously told that their contracts would not be renewed after 31 January due to the fact that the minister’s department is over budget? Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: I thank the member for his question and his concern about what is a very significant issue. I am unable to assist. I am not aware of that matter. I would have been grateful had the question been put on notice,
(3) Given the importance of counselling, why is it that yesterday more than one-third of the prison counselling service staff were unceremoniously told that their contracts would not be renewed after 31 January due to the fact that the minister’s department is over budget? Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: I thank the member for his question and his concern about what is a very significant issue. I am unable to assist. I am not aware of that matter. I would have been grateful had the question been put on notice,
Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: I thank the member for his question and his concern about what is a very significant issue. I am unable to assist. I am not aware of that matter. I would have been grateful had the question been put on notice,
I thank the member for his question and his concern about what is a very significant issue. I am unable to assist. I am not aware of that matter. I would have been grateful had the question been put on notice,

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