❓ Mr. Simpson questions the Minister for Corrective Services about prison overcrowding inherited from the previous Labor government. Mr. Porter acknowledges the dire situation and outlines statistics, attributing it to past inaction and projecting future increases.
AnsweredQoN 83Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PRISONS — OVERCROWDING
The government has inherited a situation from the former Labor government in which the state’s prisons are at bursting point. Can the minister please advise the house what steps the government is taking to rectify a situation that is the direct result of the former government’s inaction? Mr C.C. PORTER
The government has inherited a situation from the former Labor government in which the state’s prisons are at bursting point. Can the minister please advise the house what steps the government is taking to rectify a situation that is the direct result of the former government’s inaction? Mr C.C. PORTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Darling Range for his question and also thank the member for Warnbro for the Address-in-Reply speech he made last night, in which he touched on some issues that I have been considering since I became the Minister for Corrective Services—his points were both strong and intelligently made. The status of overcrowding in our prisons is now quite dire; quite frankly, the situation is grim, and has been for some time. Over the past five years, there has been a very, very significant growth in the number of offenders who are serving prison terms. To give members opposite some idea, some flavour, of the problem we are dealing with, at 30 June 2006, the end of that financial year, the total adult prisoner population was 3 526—some nine per cent above the maximum design capacity. At the end of 30 June 2007, the end of that financial year, the adult prisoner population numbered 3 847, or 13.7 per cent above maximum design capacity. These figures change on an almost daily basis, but the most recent figures that I have been provided with indicate that we have 3 951 adult prisoners, but that that figure has, in recent weeks, been as high as 3 972. We have never cracked the 4 000 mark—a somewhat psychological barrier in terms of the way in which we should respond to this problem. At present, we are about 636 prisoners over capacity, and to give members opposite some conception of what that means, I will show them a graph that essentially tracks our inheritance from the Labor Party’s performance since 2001. Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question and also thank the member for Warnbro for the Address-in-Reply speech he made last night, in which he touched on some issues that I have been considering since I became the Minister for Corrective Services—his points were both strong and intelligently made. The status of overcrowding in our prisons is now quite dire; quite frankly, the situation is grim, and has been for some time. Over the past five years, there has been a very, very significant growth in the number of offenders who are serving prison terms. To give members opposite some idea, some flavour, of the problem we are dealing with, at 30 June 2006, the end of that financial year, the total adult prisoner population was 3 526—some nine per cent above the maximum design capacity. At the end of 30 June 2007, the end of that financial year, the adult prisoner population numbered 3 847, or 13.7 per cent above maximum design capacity. These figures change on an almost daily basis, but the most recent figures that I have been provided with indicate that we have 3 951 adult prisoners, but that that figure has, in recent weeks, been as high as 3 972. We have never cracked the 4 000 mark—a somewhat psychological barrier in terms of the way in which we should respond to this problem. At present, we are about 636 prisoners over capacity, and to give members opposite some conception of what that means, I will show them a graph that essentially tracks our inheritance from the Labor Party’s performance since 2001. Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
I thank the member for Darling Range for his question and also thank the member for Warnbro for the Address-in-Reply speech he made last night, in which he touched on some issues that I have been considering since I became the Minister for Corrective Services—his points were both strong and intelligently made. The status of overcrowding in our prisons is now quite dire; quite frankly, the situation is grim, and has been for some time. Over the past five years, there has been a very, very significant growth in the number of offenders who are serving prison terms. To give members opposite some idea, some flavour, of the problem we are dealing with, at 30 June 2006, the end of that financial year, the total adult prisoner population was 3 526—some nine per cent above the maximum design capacity. At the end of 30 June 2007, the end of that financial year, the adult prisoner population numbered 3 847, or 13.7 per cent above maximum design capacity. These figures change on an almost daily basis, but the most recent figures that I have been provided with indicate that we have 3 951 adult prisoners, but that that figure has, in recent weeks, been as high as 3 972. We have never cracked the 4 000 mark—a somewhat psychological barrier in terms of the way in which we should respond to this problem. At present, we are about 636 prisoners over capacity, and to give members opposite some conception of what that means, I will show them a graph that essentially tracks our inheritance from the Labor Party’s performance since 2001. Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
The status of overcrowding in our prisons is now quite dire; quite frankly, the situation is grim, and has been for some time. Over the past five years, there has been a very, very significant growth in the number of offenders who are serving prison terms. To give members opposite some idea, some flavour, of the problem we are dealing with, at 30 June 2006, the end of that financial year, the total adult prisoner population was 3 526—some nine per cent above the maximum design capacity. At the end of 30 June 2007, the end of that financial year, the adult prisoner population numbered 3 847, or 13.7 per cent above maximum design capacity. These figures change on an almost daily basis, but the most recent figures that I have been provided with indicate that we have 3 951 adult prisoners, but that that figure has, in recent weeks, been as high as 3 972. We have never cracked the 4 000 mark—a somewhat psychological barrier in terms of the way in which we should respond to this problem. At present, we are about 636 prisoners over capacity, and to give members opposite some conception of what that means, I will show them a graph that essentially tracks our inheritance from the Labor Party’s performance since 2001. Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
At present, we are about 636 prisoners over capacity, and to give members opposite some conception of what that means, I will show them a graph that essentially tracks our inheritance from the Labor Party’s performance since 2001. Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question and also thank the member for Warnbro for the Address-in-Reply speech he made last night, in which he touched on some issues that I have been considering since I became the Minister for Corrective Services—his points were both strong and intelligently made. The status of overcrowding in our prisons is now quite dire; quite frankly, the situation is grim, and has been for some time. Over the past five years, there has been a very, very significant growth in the number of offenders who are serving prison terms. To give members opposite some idea, some flavour, of the problem we are dealing with, at 30 June 2006, the end of that financial year, the total adult prisoner population was 3 526—some nine per cent above the maximum design capacity. At the end of 30 June 2007, the end of that financial year, the adult prisoner population numbered 3 847, or 13.7 per cent above maximum design capacity. These figures change on an almost daily basis, but the most recent figures that I have been provided with indicate that we have 3 951 adult prisoners, but that that figure has, in recent weeks, been as high as 3 972. We have never cracked the 4 000 mark—a somewhat psychological barrier in terms of the way in which we should respond to this problem. At present, we are about 636 prisoners over capacity, and to give members opposite some conception of what that means, I will show them a graph that essentially tracks our inheritance from the Labor Party’s performance since 2001. Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
I thank the member for Darling Range for his question and also thank the member for Warnbro for the Address-in-Reply speech he made last night, in which he touched on some issues that I have been considering since I became the Minister for Corrective Services—his points were both strong and intelligently made. The status of overcrowding in our prisons is now quite dire; quite frankly, the situation is grim, and has been for some time. Over the past five years, there has been a very, very significant growth in the number of offenders who are serving prison terms. To give members opposite some idea, some flavour, of the problem we are dealing with, at 30 June 2006, the end of that financial year, the total adult prisoner population was 3 526—some nine per cent above the maximum design capacity. At the end of 30 June 2007, the end of that financial year, the adult prisoner population numbered 3 847, or 13.7 per cent above maximum design capacity. These figures change on an almost daily basis, but the most recent figures that I have been provided with indicate that we have 3 951 adult prisoners, but that that figure has, in recent weeks, been as high as 3 972. We have never cracked the 4 000 mark—a somewhat psychological barrier in terms of the way in which we should respond to this problem. At present, we are about 636 prisoners over capacity, and to give members opposite some conception of what that means, I will show them a graph that essentially tracks our inheritance from the Labor Party’s performance since 2001. Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
The status of overcrowding in our prisons is now quite dire; quite frankly, the situation is grim, and has been for some time. Over the past five years, there has been a very, very significant growth in the number of offenders who are serving prison terms. To give members opposite some idea, some flavour, of the problem we are dealing with, at 30 June 2006, the end of that financial year, the total adult prisoner population was 3 526—some nine per cent above the maximum design capacity. At the end of 30 June 2007, the end of that financial year, the adult prisoner population numbered 3 847, or 13.7 per cent above maximum design capacity. These figures change on an almost daily basis, but the most recent figures that I have been provided with indicate that we have 3 951 adult prisoners, but that that figure has, in recent weeks, been as high as 3 972. We have never cracked the 4 000 mark—a somewhat psychological barrier in terms of the way in which we should respond to this problem. At present, we are about 636 prisoners over capacity, and to give members opposite some conception of what that means, I will show them a graph that essentially tracks our inheritance from the Labor Party’s performance since 2001. Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
At present, we are about 636 prisoners over capacity, and to give members opposite some conception of what that means, I will show them a graph that essentially tracks our inheritance from the Labor Party’s performance since 2001. Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Tough on crime! Excellent! Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is important and that some members opposite might agree with much of what I am about to say. Referring to the graph, members will see a green line that represents prison capacity and a second line that represents prisoner numbers. The graph clearly demonstrates a significant gap opening up. As I said, that represents about 600 prisoners. The big spike in the green line is due to Acacia Prison. A Court government initiative, I think Acacia Prison was completed and started to be filled after the Labor government came to power. Members can see that that is a very considerable gap that is opening up. As I have stated today, we expect that the truth-in-sentencing legislation will add to that gap, as will natural population growth — Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Have you got the Treasurer’s support for that? Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : I will get to that in a moment; he is a very good fellow, the Treasurer. This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
This government has promised 500 additional police officers, and they will also add to that gap. I have learnt a great deal since coming to this portfolio and have reformulated my views about some matters. One concern is where is the greatest need for additional prison beds. Given the member for Warnbro’s recent statements to the press, which were fairly put, I think it fair to say that perhaps more could have been done by the previous government in terms of the overall prison-bed increments that occurred during its term of office. My advice from the Department of Corrective Services is that several larger scale proposals were not followed through. However, some good work was done, and recently I opened the Bunbury home care facility. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you committed to the Derby prison? Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : We will get to that in a moment; be patient! Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : I think this is very important. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : You have had a lot of question time! Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Well, why not? When we examine the real problems for Indigenous prisoners—bearing in mind that the Labor government did many good things, including the expansion of re-entry programs and the employment-release programs in which employment officers were placed in prisons to help prisoners access those programs—we can see that the Broome Prison accommodates only 30.7 per cent of the prisoners from the Kimberley region and only 5.3 per cent of maximum or medium-security prisoners, with 40 per cent of these secure prisoners held in the metropolitan area away from their family and support networks. Kimberley Indigenous prisoners have a recidivist rate of 62 per cent. In the goldfields, the existing prison holds only 35.5 per cent of prisoners from the region and only 13.9 per cent of secure prisoners, while 71.5 per cent of the goldfields secure prisoners are held in secure facilities in Perth. Despite the many good programs introduced by the Labor government, the fundamental problem is that recidivism rates are driven down by employment opportunity and re-entry programs. It is almost impossible to deliver employment and re-entry programs to prisoners domiciled in Perth who will be re-entering the community in the goldfields or the Kimberley regions. With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
With respect to Derby Prison, the department advises that the costs associated with that have blown out significantly, and I will certainly be advocating for that matter when it goes to cabinet in the near future. Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What will the Treasurer be doing? Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition will find out in due course. However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
However, in answer to the member’s original question, the view that I have taken and will continue to advocate in the party room and in government is that the overwhelming amount of capital infrastructure spend should be in the regions—a matter that may be of some interest to the Leader of the National Party.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.