❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on the cost of imprisoning individuals, comparing government and private prisons, and whether rehabilitation costs are included. The answer provides partial information, noting a full comparison is not yet possible.
AnsweredQoN 906Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What is the cost per year to keep a prisoner in jail?
(2) Is there a comparison between Government and private run prisons with respect to cost per prisoner per year?
(3) If yes to (2), what is the comparison?
(4) Does the cost to keep a prisoner in prison include the cost to rehabilitate prisoners and drug treatment/counselling?
(2) Is there a comparison between Government and private run prisons with respect to cost per prisoner per year?
(3) If yes to (2), what is the comparison?
(4) Does the cost to keep a prisoner in prison include the cost to rehabilitate prisoners and drug treatment/counselling?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 September 2001
Responded by
Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs
Response time
20 days
(2) The first privately operated prison in WA, Acacia prison, commenced operation with the placement of 12 prisoners on 16 May 2001. For the first 9 months of operation the prisoner intake will be gradual. It is expected that full capacity will not be reached until March 2002. Consequently, a cost comparison between the Government and the private run prison is not meaningful at this point in time. The Department of Justice is currently developing a methodology that will enable costing comparisons between the Government and Acacia prisons once it is operating at full capacity. (3) Not applicable (4) The cost per prisoner per day figure quoted above does include the cost of the rehabilitative programs currently provided by the Department of Justice. The programs provided, include a range of substance abuse programs.
(3) Not applicable (4) The cost per prisoner per day figure quoted above does include the cost of the rehabilitative programs currently provided by the Department of Justice. The programs provided, include a range of substance abuse programs.
(4) The cost per prisoner per day figure quoted above does include the cost of the rehabilitative programs currently provided by the Department of Justice. The programs provided, include a range of substance abuse programs.
(3) Not applicable (4) The cost per prisoner per day figure quoted above does include the cost of the rehabilitative programs currently provided by the Department of Justice. The programs provided, include a range of substance abuse programs.
(4) The cost per prisoner per day figure quoted above does include the cost of the rehabilitative programs currently provided by the Department of Justice. The programs provided, include a range of substance abuse programs.
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