❓ Inquiry regarding access to personal computing and entertainment devices for prisoners and detainees in WA, revealing limitations and prisoner-funded access.
AnsweredQoN 2759Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What is the Department's policy in relation to prisoners/detainees having access to a personal computing or entertainment devices (i.e. iPad, Xbox, Laptop) in their cells? (2) Does the Department provide personal computing or entertainment devices (i.e. iPad, Xbox, Laptop) to prisoners or detainees and if so: (a) What type of devices and how many are currently provided; (b) What is the approximate cost of each device; and (c) Are these devices loaned or bought by the prisoner/detainee: (i) If they are bought, at what cost to the prisoner/detainee? (3) Does the Department provide any computer or entertainment device games (i.e. HALO, Gears of War, etc.) to prisoners or detainees and if so: (a) What games (by title) are currently provided; (b) What is the approximate cost of each game; (c) Are these games loaned or bought by the prisoner/detainee: (i) If they are bought, at what cost to the prisoner/detainee; and (d) Does the Department provide R18+ classification games to detainees and if so, what are they? (4) Does the Department provide access to any entertainment streaming service to prisoners or detainees (i.e. Netflix) and if so: (a) What services are provided at what prison/detention centre; and (b) What is the cost of each service?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 May 2018
Responded by
Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
10 days
The Department of Justice advises:
(1) The Department only allows a prisoner possession of a computer (laptop) for the purpose of aiding in their legal defence (Section 19.1.1 Policy Directive 42 – Prisoner property procedures). Banksia Hill Detention Centre does not have a specific policy for the use of personal computers or Xbox’s in cells. This is contained in local Standing Order 8 – Appendix 5. Detainees (at specific privilege levels) may request to have an Xbox in their cells after lock up and are able to have X-boxes provided by the department within the units/privileged wings and computers and/or laptops during ‘Education Programs’. Ipads are not permitted for use by detainees.
However Xbox 360 and specific models of Nintendo Game Cubes and Playstations are permitted in cells (Section 20- Policy Directive 42 – Prisoner property procedures). Ipads are not permitted for use by prisoners.
(2) Yes, as per answer to question (1)
(a) As per answer to question (1). Devices are not provided they are either purchased by the prisoner or detainee or brought in as part of their property.
(b) market price
(c) bought
(3)(a) Games are not provided they can be purchased or brought in by a prisoner or detainee at their own expense. Games are sourced as per the market;
(b) market price
(c) bought
(i) market price
(d) No
(4) Prisoners and/or detainees do not have access to any entertainment streaming services
(a) N/A
(b) N/A
(1) The Department only allows a prisoner possession of a computer (laptop) for the purpose of aiding in their legal defence (Section 19.1.1 Policy Directive 42 – Prisoner property procedures). Banksia Hill Detention Centre does not have a specific policy for the use of personal computers or Xbox’s in cells. This is contained in local Standing Order 8 – Appendix 5. Detainees (at specific privilege levels) may request to have an Xbox in their cells after lock up and are able to have X-boxes provided by the department within the units/privileged wings and computers and/or laptops during ‘Education Programs’. Ipads are not permitted for use by detainees.
However Xbox 360 and specific models of Nintendo Game Cubes and Playstations are permitted in cells (Section 20- Policy Directive 42 – Prisoner property procedures). Ipads are not permitted for use by prisoners.
(2) Yes, as per answer to question (1)
(a) As per answer to question (1). Devices are not provided they are either purchased by the prisoner or detainee or brought in as part of their property.
(b) market price
(c) bought
(3)(a) Games are not provided they can be purchased or brought in by a prisoner or detainee at their own expense. Games are sourced as per the market;
(b) market price
(c) bought
(i) market price
(d) No
(4) Prisoners and/or detainees do not have access to any entertainment streaming services
(a) N/A
(b) N/A
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