Page 3073 - Week 07 - Thursday, 30 June 2011
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progressing well and that there have also been some positive outcomes such as the establishment of the therapeutic community at the AMC, which I think is a particularly positive and good program and should be supported into the future.
The ACT government has appropriated $620,000 in new funds through this budget for the purpose of examining capacity issues at the AMC. I note that the government has to respond to a motion of the Assembly on this issue by 25 August. The motion was passed on 9 March. To that original motion proposed by Mr Hanson, I made amendments which ask that the government examine whether it is ever the case that prisoners are sentenced to the AMC because rehabilitation programs in the community are full. I do hope that people sentenced to a community rehabilitation program are not being denied that because of a lack of funds for community rehabilitation.
In response to the Burnet and Hamburger reports, there are two key issues that I remain concerned about and would like to see progressed further. They are mental health services for people with a severe mental illness and general access to counselling services. The Hamburger report recommended the government review the crisis support unit. The Greens are concerned about people being held in the crisis support unit because they cannot access the therapeutic treatment they need to recover, all because they require care which cannot be provided in the general prison setting.
The Hamburger report also highlighted safety concerns for staff and detainees at that unit. It may be the situation that people are being placed in this unit for their own safety also. This, I believe, points to the need for a forensic mental health unit. It is likely there are people in the AMC who should not be in the prison and should be in a facility where they are getting appropriate care.
Another key issue is the need to increase the availability of general counselling to the prison population, as inmates need access to general counselling. If emotional or other problems are to be resolved, we must give inmates the ability to talk through their problems and come to a personal solution or emotional resolution with appropriately qualified staff and people. The government has said they are working to strengthen counselling services but I am unsure whether they have actually agreed with the Hamburger report’s recommendation to employ a principal psychologist for the AMC. I believe that is a point which requires clarification.
An issue which was not addressed in great deal in the Hamburger and Burnet reports but which remains problematic is the lack of service provided to women in the AMC. My office recently attended a women in prisons quarterly meeting which highlighted the lack of access to medical, educational and recreational services. The government said in that quarterly meeting that it was taking steps to rectify these problems, and the Greens would like to receive an update about that so that we can be assured that women in the AMC are not denied access to services because of their limited numbers.
It is also disappointing that the chapel and quiet place at the prison will not be developed. Through this budget, the government has removed $400,000 for the development of these sites. When a person is in prison it can be a time when they do
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