❓ Hon Michelle Boylan asks about the Department of Justice's policy regarding women in custody visiting their newborn children in hospital. The Minister confirms a policy exists allowing visits under specific, risk-assessed circumstances.
AnsweredQoN 129Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Women in custody—Newborn visits
129. Hon Michelle Boylan to the minister
representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to
circumstances where a woman in custody gives birth and her newborn child
remains admitted to hospital, including in cases of premature birth requiring
neonatal intensive care.
(1) Does the Department of Justice have a
policy that allows a woman in custody to visit her newborn child in hospital
following the birth?
(2) If yes to (1), under what
circumstances are such visits permitted?
(3) If no to (1), can the minister
confirm that a woman in custody may only attend the hospital if she herself
requires medical treatment?
129. Hon Michelle Boylan to the minister
representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to
circumstances where a woman in custody gives birth and her newborn child
remains admitted to hospital, including in cases of premature birth requiring
neonatal intensive care.
(1) Does the Department of Justice have a
policy that allows a woman in custody to visit her newborn child in hospital
following the birth?
(2) If yes to (1), under what
circumstances are such visits permitted?
(3) If no to (1), can the minister
confirm that a woman in custody may only attend the hospital if she herself
requires medical treatment?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Corrective services.
(1) The Department of Justice advises that
yes, it is the Commissioner's Operating Policy and Procedures (COPP) 12.2 Coordination
of Escorts.
(2) Visits may be approved where an
absence permit and external movement risk assessment are completed and
authorised. Each request is assessed on a case-by-case basis with regard to the
health and wellbeing of the mother and baby, clinical device and security
considerations. Where a newborn child remains in hospital, including in cases
requiring specialist or intensive neonatal care, the department works closely
with health services to facilitate appropriate contact wherever possible. This
reflects an established and routinely applied policy approach whereby
compassionate risk-assessed escorted visits may be approved in appropriate
circumstances.
(3) Not applicable.
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Corrective services.
(1) The Department of Justice advises that
yes, it is the Commissioner's Operating Policy and Procedures (COPP) 12.2 Coordination
of Escorts.
(2) Visits may be approved where an
absence permit and external movement risk assessment are completed and
authorised. Each request is assessed on a case-by-case basis with regard to the
health and wellbeing of the mother and baby, clinical device and security
considerations. Where a newborn child remains in hospital, including in cases
requiring specialist or intensive neonatal care, the department works closely
with health services to facilitate appropriate contact wherever possible. This
reflects an established and routinely applied policy approach whereby
compassionate risk-assessed escorted visits may be approved in appropriate
circumstances.
(3) Not applicable.
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