Hon Giz Watson's question addresses the needs of prisoners with disabilities and mental health issues, revealing gaps in data collection and service provision within WA prisons.

AnsweredQoN 1064Legislative Council
Asked
27 April 2005
Portfolio
Justice

QuestionView source ↗

In respect of people with disabilities in prison can the Minister please explain -
(1) How many men, with an intellectual disability are currently being held in custody?
(2) How many women with an intellectual disability are currently being held in custody?
(3) How are their special needs, including protection, being met?
(4) How many men with a diagnosed mental illness are being held in custody?
(5) How many women with a diagnosed mental illness are being held in custody?
(6) How many men with an undiagnosed mental illness are receiving medication for -
(a) stress;
(b) trauma;
(c) hypertension; and
(d) anxiety?
(7) How many women with an undiagnosed mental illness are receiving medication for -
(a) stress;
(b) trauma;
(c) hypertension; and
(d) anxiety?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
24 May 2005
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Justice
Response time
27 days
(b) trauma; (c) hypertension; and (d) anxiety?
(c) hypertension; and (d) anxiety?
(d) anxiety?
(b) trauma; (c) hypertension; and (d) anxiety?
(c) hypertension; and (d) anxiety?
(d) anxiety?
In the regional prisons the referral and assessment process is not finalised, hence the data is not a comprehensive indication of the total population. Currently the conservative figure of 13 men and 1 women are recorded as having either intellectual impairment or intellectual disability. (3) Every sentenced prisoner is assessed upon intake and a plan is established to cater for their individual needs, during incarceration. Males identified with 'special needs', that is, intellectual disability or intellectual impairment, are offered specific programs that are appropriate to their cognitive and literacy level. As the numbers of female prisoners identified with the need for such programs is low, the programs are run infrequently in a group format for women. However when there are insufficient numbers for group intervention, the women identified are provided the program on an individual basis. This is not always possible at remote regional prisons. (4) - (5)There are no figures available on the number of prisoners diagnosed with a mental illness. On receival into prison a comprehensive health assessment is performed. Prisoners with a previous history of psychiatric treatment are identified and appropriate treatment commenced. This information is recorded on the Total Offender Management System (TOMS). An annual health assessment is also performed on prisoners and information obtained as a result of this assessment is recorded on TOMS and reflected in the numbers provided below. There are currently 710 male prisoners recorded on TOMS with a history of psychiatric treatment. There are currently 72 female prisoners recorded on TOMS with a history of psychiatric treatment. (6) Stress, trauma, hypertension and anxiety are managed by medical officers and are not recorded for data purposes as a mental illness. The medical officers who diagnose prisoners with stress, trauma, hypertension or anxiety prescribe appropriate medication that is dispensed in accordance with the Pharmacy Act 1964 and the Poisons Act and Regulations 1964. (7) Refer to answer provided for question 6.
(3) Every sentenced prisoner is assessed upon intake and a plan is established to cater for their individual needs, during incarceration. Males identified with 'special needs', that is, intellectual disability or intellectual impairment, are offered specific programs that are appropriate to their cognitive and literacy level. As the numbers of female prisoners identified with the need for such programs is low, the programs are run infrequently in a group format for women. However when there are insufficient numbers for group intervention, the women identified are provided the program on an individual basis. This is not always possible at remote regional prisons. (4) - (5)There are no figures available on the number of prisoners diagnosed with a mental illness. On receival into prison a comprehensive health assessment is performed. Prisoners with a previous history of psychiatric treatment are identified and appropriate treatment commenced. This information is recorded on the Total Offender Management System (TOMS). An annual health assessment is also performed on prisoners and information obtained as a result of this assessment is recorded on TOMS and reflected in the numbers provided below. There are currently 710 male prisoners recorded on TOMS with a history of psychiatric treatment. There are currently 72 female prisoners recorded on TOMS with a history of psychiatric treatment. (6) Stress, trauma, hypertension and anxiety are managed by medical officers and are not recorded for data purposes as a mental illness. The medical officers who diagnose prisoners with stress, trauma, hypertension or anxiety prescribe appropriate medication that is dispensed in accordance with the Pharmacy Act 1964 and the Poisons Act and Regulations 1964. (7) Refer to answer provided for question 6.
(4) - (5)There are no figures available on the number of prisoners diagnosed with a mental illness. On receival into prison a comprehensive health assessment is performed. Prisoners with a previous history of psychiatric treatment are identified and appropriate treatment commenced. This information is recorded on the Total Offender Management System (TOMS). An annual health assessment is also performed on prisoners and information obtained as a result of this assessment is recorded on TOMS and reflected in the numbers provided below. There are currently 710 male prisoners recorded on TOMS with a history of psychiatric treatment. There are currently 72 female prisoners recorded on TOMS with a history of psychiatric treatment. (6) Stress, trauma, hypertension and anxiety are managed by medical officers and are not recorded for data purposes as a mental illness. The medical officers who diagnose prisoners with stress, trauma, hypertension or anxiety prescribe appropriate medication that is dispensed in accordance with the Pharmacy Act 1964 and the Poisons Act and Regulations 1964. (7) Refer to answer provided for question 6.
There are currently 710 male prisoners recorded on TOMS with a history of psychiatric treatment. There are currently 72 female prisoners recorded on TOMS with a history of psychiatric treatment. (6) Stress, trauma, hypertension and anxiety are managed by medical officers and are not recorded for data purposes as a mental illness. The medical officers who diagnose prisoners with stress, trauma, hypertension or anxiety prescribe appropriate medication that is dispensed in accordance with the Pharmacy Act 1964 and the Poisons Act and Regulations 1964. (7) Refer to answer provided for question 6.
There are currently 72 female prisoners recorded on TOMS with a history of psychiatric treatment. (6) Stress, trauma, hypertension and anxiety are managed by medical officers and are not recorded for data purposes as a mental illness. The medical officers who diagnose prisoners with stress, trauma, hypertension or anxiety prescribe appropriate medication that is dispensed in accordance with the Pharmacy Act 1964 and the Poisons Act and Regulations 1964. (7) Refer to answer provided for question 6.
(6) Stress, trauma, hypertension and anxiety are managed by medical officers and are not recorded for data purposes as a mental illness. The medical officers who diagnose prisoners with stress, trauma, hypertension or anxiety prescribe appropriate medication that is dispensed in accordance with the Pharmacy Act 1964 and the Poisons Act and Regulations 1964. (7) Refer to answer provided for question 6.
(7) Refer to answer provided for question 6.

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