Page 4431 - Week 14 - Thursday, 28 November 2013
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MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, what are the major reasons for lockdowns at the AMC?
Mr Hanson: Overcrowding.
MR RATTENBURY: Contrary to Mr Hanson’s flippant interjection, there are a range of reasons lockdowns occur at the AMC. They occur for reasons such as staff being sick. Unexplained absence is actually one of the key drivers. If staff are unwell, that means that a shift is short. Therefore, there are security issues that arise from that.
There is no doubt that the increased population has again put pressure in this area and lockdowns occur for a range of reasons. Having to move detainees to courses and to visits—those sorts of things—also gives need for lockdowns based on security reasons.
There are a range of reasons. It is certainly not a new feature of the AMC. I think it is standard in a prison that there will be lockdowns at various times for a range of reasons. Those reasons continue to arise.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, is it acceptable to have sentenced prisoners mixed with remandees or is it a no-no, as stated by the Official Visitor?
Dr Bourke: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: A point of order?
Dr Bourke: Relevance of that to the original question from Mr Wall.
MADAM SPEAKER: The original question was about the comments made by the Official Visitor. Could you repeat your preamble?
Mr Wall: The initial question, Madam Speaker, was: at the JACS committee hearing on 13 November the Official Visitor noted—and it continues on.
MADAM SPEAKER: The question was about comments by the Official Visitor at the JACS committee hearing and Mr Hanson’s question was about one of the comments that the official visitor made at the JACS committee. It is perfectly in order.
Dr Bourke: If I could seek clarification on the point of order, Madam Speaker, therefore the preamble is relevant to the question?
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes, the preamble to the first question. Other questions should not have preambles. However, I was a bit indulgent this afternoon with Ms Lawder, who is a newer member. Mr Rattenbury.
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