1202. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services’ report, The Digital Divide: Access to digital technology for people in custody, and I ask:
(a) does the Minister support improved access to digital technology for people in custody to enable access to:
(i) online counselling in cells and therapeutic programs;
(ii) online legal services; and
(iii) online education and training services;
(b) if no to any of (a)(i)–(iii), why not;
(c) if yes to (a)(i)–(iii), will new cells be constructed with conduits for in-cell technology;
(d) if no to (c), why not;
(e) does the Minister plan to improve young people in Banksia Hill Detention Centre’s access to digital technology;
(f) if yes to (e), please provide details about the plan; and
(g) if no to (e), why not?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied: The Department of Justice advises:
(a) (i)–(iii) Yes.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Yes. New construction such as at Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison, new building works at Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison and expansions at Casuarina Prison and Bunbury Regional Prison take into account the latest technology to facilitate access to digital technology for people in custody to allow access to these services. This includes identifying the most appropriate solution for the circumstances whether that be via in-cell technologies or unit level computer clusters or a combination of the two.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Yes. A new education network at Banksia Hill Detention Centre was established on 10 July 2017 improving young people’s access to digital technology.
(f) As above.
(g) Not applicable.