❓ Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister for Corrective Services regarding mental health services and suicide attempts at Bandyup Women's Prison. The response acknowledges room for improvement and outlines available services and waiting times.
AnsweredQoN 1357Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BANDYUP WOMEN'S PRISON
1357. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Attorney General
representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
(1) Does the
Minister for Corrective Services agree with the view of the Inspector of
Custodial Services in his 2013–14 annual report, which states —
Many extremely unwell people are
being held in prisons rather than in dedicated mental health facilities,
without the specialist mental health interventions they need.
(2) What
psychiatric services are available for prisoners at Bandyup Women's Prison
who are on remand; awaiting a court appearance; newly sentenced prisoners
awaiting assessment; and completing sentence?
(3) What is the
waiting time for women held in Bandyup prison to get —
(a) specialist
psychiatric help; and
(b) psychological
help?
(4) What is the
waiting time to receive drug treatment prescribed by a psychiatrist at Bandyup
Women's Prison?
(5) How many attempted suicides were
there at Bandyup Women's Prison in —
(a) 20l3; and
(b) 20l4 to date?
1357. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Attorney General
representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
(1) Does the
Minister for Corrective Services agree with the view of the Inspector of
Custodial Services in his 2013–14 annual report, which states —
Many extremely unwell people are
being held in prisons rather than in dedicated mental health facilities,
without the specialist mental health interventions they need.
(2) What
psychiatric services are available for prisoners at Bandyup Women's Prison
who are on remand; awaiting a court appearance; newly sentenced prisoners
awaiting assessment; and completing sentence?
(3) What is the
waiting time for women held in Bandyup prison to get —
(a) specialist
psychiatric help; and
(b) psychological
help?
(4) What is the
waiting time to receive drug treatment prescribed by a psychiatrist at Bandyup
Women's Prison?
(5) How many attempted suicides were
there at Bandyup Women's Prison in —
(a) 20l3; and
(b) 20l4 to date?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Minister for Corrective Services, I thank
the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
government has acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the delivery
of mental health services in prisons and in the community more generally. The
Minister for Corrective Services is working with the Minister for Mental Health
to develop a mental health plan for the state.
(2) All the
groups mentioned have access to the assessment, counselling, support and
referral services.
(3) (a) When it
is critical, a prisoner can be seen by an experienced mental health nurse on
week days and a visiting consultant psychiatrist who attends once a week. The
general waiting time is approximately three to four weeks.
(b) All prisoners
received at Bandyup undergo an assessment to determine immediate health,
psychological, mental health and welfare needs and issues. It is expected that
this be completed within 24 hours of entry. Psychological services are provided
in accordance with risk and need. Prisoners identified as at risk of self-harm
are prioritised and assessed by prison counselling services within 24 hours.
(4) Most
urgent mental health medications can be dispensed immediately or, if an unusual
medication is required, within 24 hours. Non-urgent medications are delivered
within the week.
(5) (a) There
were three attempted suicides in 2013.
(b) There have
been five attempted suicides in 2014 to date.
the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
government has acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the delivery
of mental health services in prisons and in the community more generally. The
Minister for Corrective Services is working with the Minister for Mental Health
to develop a mental health plan for the state.
(2) All the
groups mentioned have access to the assessment, counselling, support and
referral services.
(3) (a) When it
is critical, a prisoner can be seen by an experienced mental health nurse on
week days and a visiting consultant psychiatrist who attends once a week. The
general waiting time is approximately three to four weeks.
(b) All prisoners
received at Bandyup undergo an assessment to determine immediate health,
psychological, mental health and welfare needs and issues. It is expected that
this be completed within 24 hours of entry. Psychological services are provided
in accordance with risk and need. Prisoners identified as at risk of self-harm
are prioritised and assessed by prison counselling services within 24 hours.
(4) Most
urgent mental health medications can be dispensed immediately or, if an unusual
medication is required, within 24 hours. Non-urgent medications are delivered
within the week.
(5) (a) There
were three attempted suicides in 2013.
(b) There have
been five attempted suicides in 2014 to date.
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