❓ Hon Philip Scott questions the Minister for Corrective Services regarding the placement of transgender prisoners in WA, referencing the Northern Territory's policy change and the UN's Nelson Mandela Rules. The Minister responds that no transitioned men are housed in female prisons and outlines the Department's considerations for prisoner placement.
AnsweredQoN 848Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Transgender prisoners
848. Hon Philip Scott to
the minister representing the Minister for Corrective
Services:
Yesterday, the
Northern Territory announced that men who have transitioned to being women will
no longer be placed in female prisons, becoming the first state or territory in
Australia to do so. I acknowledge that this move protects the safety of female
prisoners.
(l) How many men who have transitioned to being
women are currently housed in female prisons in Western Australia?
(2) If there are any men who have transitioned to
being women currently housed in female prisons in Western Australia, how many
are kept in cells with biological women?
(3) The United
Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners , referred
to as the Nelson Mandela rules, states that "Men and women shall so far as
possible be detained in separate institutions". Why does the WA government
not adhere to this?
848. Hon Philip Scott to
the minister representing the Minister for Corrective
Services:
Yesterday, the
Northern Territory announced that men who have transitioned to being women will
no longer be placed in female prisons, becoming the first state or territory in
Australia to do so. I acknowledge that this move protects the safety of female
prisoners.
(l) How many men who have transitioned to being
women are currently housed in female prisons in Western Australia?
(2) If there are any men who have transitioned to
being women currently housed in female prisons in Western Australia, how many
are kept in cells with biological women?
(3) The United
Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners , referred
to as the Nelson Mandela rules, states that "Men and women shall so far as
possible be detained in separate institutions". Why does the WA government
not adhere to this?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The question was originally directed to the
Attorney General, but it was redirected to the Minister for Corrective
Services. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for
Corrective Services.
The Department of
Justice advises:
(1) Nil.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Department of Justice carefully considers
the placement of all prisoners, including transgender, gender-diverse and
intersex prisoners, and it takes into consideration the person's safety,
dignity and welfare, as well as the safety of other prisoners and staff, in
accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
for some notice of the question. The question was originally directed to the
Attorney General, but it was redirected to the Minister for Corrective
Services. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for
Corrective Services.
The Department of
Justice advises:
(1) Nil.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Department of Justice carefully considers
the placement of all prisoners, including transgender, gender-diverse and
intersex prisoners, and it takes into consideration the person's safety,
dignity and welfare, as well as the safety of other prisoners and staff, in
accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
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