372. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on prisons.
(1) Given the current overcrowding in WA prisons, what measures have been undertaken to address the COVID-19 risk to prisoners and staff, including —
(a) social distancing of prisoners more generally, and in particular of any prisoners who are unwell; and
(b) provision of personal protective equipment to staff and prisoners?
(2) Does the department anticipate further growth in the remandee population as a result of court delays due to COVID-19?
(3) If yes to (2), what measures are in place to address any further risk this might present?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) (a) On 10 March 2020, the Department of Corrective Services implemented its emergency management plan for COVID-19, which also includes occupational health and safety risk assessments and measures. This includes social distancing for prisoners and staff as far as is practicable in the prison environment given the confines of the buildings. Prisoners who are deemed unwell are isolated and managed by the department’s corrective services health services.
(b) Supplies of PPE have been received and are currently being issued to all prison facilities. The Department of Health has taken responsibility for centrally coordinating the purchase and supply of PPE across the state for government agencies.
(2) No.
(3) Not applicable.