❓ Mr Adam Hort questions the Minister for Corrective Services about alleged reduced sentences due to prison conditions, sexual assaults on female prisoners, and the independent watchdog's extraordinary steps, asking if the Minister accepts his 'broken prison system' is denying justice and risking community safety. The Minister acknowledges challenges with unprecedented prison population growth and deflects by questioning the opposition's alternatives.
AnsweredQoN 307Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Corrective Services—Prisons
307. Mr Adam Hort to
the Minister for Corrective Services:
Under the minister's
watch, criminals are receiving reduced sentences due to prison conditions,
female prisoners are allegedly being sexually assaulted inside the estate, and
now the independent watchdog has taken one of the most extraordinary steps available
to him. Does the minister accept that his broken prison system is now denying
victims justice and putting the community at risk?
307. Mr Adam Hort to
the Minister for Corrective Services:
Under the minister's
watch, criminals are receiving reduced sentences due to prison conditions,
female prisoners are allegedly being sexually assaulted inside the estate, and
now the independent watchdog has taken one of the most extraordinary steps available
to him. Does the minister accept that his broken prison system is now denying
victims justice and putting the community at risk?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for his question. Look, I just answered the question in respect to what is
happening in the system to respond to the unprecedented prison population
growth. It is a challenge, undoubtedly. It is not something that corrective
services as a portfolio controls. Who comes into the prison is not controlled
by the corrective services portfolio. It deals with—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
Mr Paul Papalia: Junior, give it a break! Come on!
It is doing it. It is
funded to do it. There is a plan and it is being executed.
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
Mr Paul Papalia: There is nothing else to say, member.
With respect to the challenge, yes, it is a big challenge. The question that
must be posed is: Is the opposition's alternative to just let everybody out? Is
the opposition's alternative to not put criminals in prison? Is that its
alternative?
Several members
interjected.
Mr Paul Papalia: I am all ears. I am all ears.
The Speaker: Members! Minister!
Mr Paul Papalia: Stand up and give your solution.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
for his question. Look, I just answered the question in respect to what is
happening in the system to respond to the unprecedented prison population
growth. It is a challenge, undoubtedly. It is not something that corrective
services as a portfolio controls. Who comes into the prison is not controlled
by the corrective services portfolio. It deals with—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
Mr Paul Papalia: Junior, give it a break! Come on!
It is doing it. It is
funded to do it. There is a plan and it is being executed.
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
Mr Paul Papalia: There is nothing else to say, member.
With respect to the challenge, yes, it is a big challenge. The question that
must be posed is: Is the opposition's alternative to just let everybody out? Is
the opposition's alternative to not put criminals in prison? Is that its
alternative?
Several members
interjected.
Mr Paul Papalia: I am all ears. I am all ears.
The Speaker: Members! Minister!
Mr Paul Papalia: Stand up and give your solution.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
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