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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 3 Hansard (25 March) . . Page.. 921 ..

2. The BRC has a full-time resident Mental Health Nurse. This worker has daily contact, Monday to Friday, with all detainees requiring mental health care. A forensic psychologist from Mental Health Services attends the BRC weekly to assist the development of case management plans for detainees. Mental Health Services also provide some sessional psychiatric care to detainees.

In addition to these services, for the twelve months ending 10th March 1999, six Indigenous detainees received treatment from other mental health workers (including attendance by the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team and psychiatric hospital treatment for acute cases.)

3. In the first half of 1998, Winnunga Nimmityjah was not contacted on each occasion when an Indigenous person was remanded into custody. However, during a review of its procedures, Corrective Services identified this as a problem and in the latter part of 1998 procedures were strengthened to ensure Winnunga Nimmityjah is now contacted whenever an Indigenous detainee is remanded into custody at the BRC. Winnunga Nimmityjah recently advised that the revised arrangements are operating satisfactorily.

4. Between 11th March 1998 and 10th March 1999, substance abuse problems were identified in twenty-six Indigenous detainees (representing 70% of the Indigenous detainee population for this period).

5. The BRC Medical Officer and the BRC Registered Nurse provide health care to detainees. Indigenous detainees also have access to health services provided by Winnunga Nimmityjah. The General Practitioner at Winnunga Nimmityjah visits Indigenous detainees upon request and provides follow-up treatment.

For detainees experiencing opiate withdrawal symptoms, methadone is available as a matter of priority. Staff from Community Care's Drug and Alcohol Program, and staff from the Drug Referral and Information Centre, visit detainees regularly.

6. The Superintendent of the BRC has been directed to report all incidents of self-harm to my office. All major incidents occurring at BRC are reported to my office by telephone, followed by written reports as soon as practicable.

7. The percentage of Indigenous arrest rates over the past 12 months is 10.4% of total arrests.

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