❓ Question highlights substandard lockup facilities at Esperance Police Station, raising concerns about compliance with Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommendations and resource allocation. Minister acknowledges issues and commits to providing a temporary solution.
AnsweredQoN 175Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
The Minister for Education and Training took a breath earlier and I thought he had finished his answer. I refer to the appalling state of police stations in country Western Australia. (1) Will the minister acknowledge that the lockup facilities at the Esperance Police Station do not meet the standards outlined in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report? (2) Is the minister aware that the nearest safe lockup is in Kalgoorlie, which is over 400 kilometres away, and that two staff currently make this trip twice a week with people in custody? (3) Is the minister aware that detainees held in the Esperance lockup must be watched 24 hours a day by one person because there is no video surveillance at the police station? (4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
I refer to the appalling state of police stations in country Western Australia. (1) Will the minister acknowledge that the lockup facilities at the Esperance Police Station do not meet the standards outlined in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report? (2) Is the minister aware that the nearest safe lockup is in Kalgoorlie, which is over 400 kilometres away, and that two staff currently make this trip twice a week with people in custody? (3) Is the minister aware that detainees held in the Esperance lockup must be watched 24 hours a day by one person because there is no video surveillance at the police station? (4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(1) Will the minister acknowledge that the lockup facilities at the Esperance Police Station do not meet the standards outlined in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report? (2) Is the minister aware that the nearest safe lockup is in Kalgoorlie, which is over 400 kilometres away, and that two staff currently make this trip twice a week with people in custody? (3) Is the minister aware that detainees held in the Esperance lockup must be watched 24 hours a day by one person because there is no video surveillance at the police station? (4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(2) Is the minister aware that the nearest safe lockup is in Kalgoorlie, which is over 400 kilometres away, and that two staff currently make this trip twice a week with people in custody? (3) Is the minister aware that detainees held in the Esperance lockup must be watched 24 hours a day by one person because there is no video surveillance at the police station? (4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(3) Is the minister aware that detainees held in the Esperance lockup must be watched 24 hours a day by one person because there is no video surveillance at the police station? (4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
I refer to the appalling state of police stations in country Western Australia. (1) Will the minister acknowledge that the lockup facilities at the Esperance Police Station do not meet the standards outlined in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report? (2) Is the minister aware that the nearest safe lockup is in Kalgoorlie, which is over 400 kilometres away, and that two staff currently make this trip twice a week with people in custody? (3) Is the minister aware that detainees held in the Esperance lockup must be watched 24 hours a day by one person because there is no video surveillance at the police station? (4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(1) Will the minister acknowledge that the lockup facilities at the Esperance Police Station do not meet the standards outlined in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report? (2) Is the minister aware that the nearest safe lockup is in Kalgoorlie, which is over 400 kilometres away, and that two staff currently make this trip twice a week with people in custody? (3) Is the minister aware that detainees held in the Esperance lockup must be watched 24 hours a day by one person because there is no video surveillance at the police station? (4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(2) Is the minister aware that the nearest safe lockup is in Kalgoorlie, which is over 400 kilometres away, and that two staff currently make this trip twice a week with people in custody? (3) Is the minister aware that detainees held in the Esperance lockup must be watched 24 hours a day by one person because there is no video surveillance at the police station? (4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(3) Is the minister aware that detainees held in the Esperance lockup must be watched 24 hours a day by one person because there is no video surveillance at the police station? (4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(4) Will the minister provide the funds required to upgrade the Esperance Police Station lockup facilities? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
I am aware that there are some inadequate facilities in country police stations, despite the fact that this Government has allocated considerable funds in recent years to the police station budget, and specifically for the upgrade of country police stations. Sadly, these stations could have been in a much better state when we came to government than was the case. The black deaths in custody report was some years ago, but people opposite did nothing to rectify that situation across the aboard. I am pleased, however, that the member for Roe has given some notice of his question about the Esperance Police Station, as this has enabled the Police Service to provide the following advice - (1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(1) Yes. (2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(2) Yes. I am aware that officers from Esperance make this trip to the safe lockup at Kalgoorlie if and when the escort of prisoners is required - it is not necessarily twice a week. (3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(3) Yes. If the detained person is considered a high-risk prisoner, one officer will keep continual watch until the prisoners is released or escorted. (4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
(4) Yes. The transportable three-cell lockup currently used in Albany as part of temporary accommodation during the reconstruction of that station will be relocated to Esperance in mid 2005.
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