Dr. Pettitt questions the Minister for Corrective Services regarding assessments for neurodevelopmental impairments and FASD screening at Banksia Hill Detention Centre. The Minister acknowledges the issue and states the government is investigating enhanced screening methods.

AnsweredQoN 565Legislative Council
Asked
18 May 2023
Portfolio
Corrective Services

QuestionView source ↗

BANKSIA HILL DETENTION
CENTRE — NEURODEVELOPMENTAL IMPAIRMENTS —FOETAL ALCOHOL
SPECTRUM DISORDER
565. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the 2018 Telethon Kids
Institute study that found that 89 per cent of children in youth detention in Western
Australia had a severe neurological impairment, with 36 per cent diagnosed with
foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. I also refer to the State Coroner's 7
February 2019 recommendation that there be universal screening for FASD for
children entering the prison system.
(1) In the 2022–23
financial year to date, how many distinct young people in youth detention have
received referrals for comprehensive IQ or functional capacity assessments?
(2) Will the minister commit to implementing a preliminary
FASD screening program at Banksia Hill Detention Centre and unit 18 for
all children who enter youth detention?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been given to me by the Minister for
Corrective Services.
(1) Detainees
will have comprehensive intellectual and cognitive testing performed when the
court requests a neuropsychological, neurodevelopmental, FASD or
fitness-to-stand-trial report. Over the 2022–23 financial year to date, 35 detainees have had such a report requested,
referrals made and testing carried out.
(2) The state government is continuing to investigate
ways to enhance screening for neurological impairments among detainees
at Banksia Hill Detention Centre and unit 18.

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