Corrective Services

438. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Corrective Services:

I refer to recommendations made by the Coroner as a result of the inquest into the death of Jayden Stafford Bennell regarding the engagement of Aboriginal mental health workers to form part of the mental health team in prisons, and I ask:

(a) how many Aboriginal mental health workers are currently employed at correctional facilities; and

(b) if none, why not?

Hon Stephen Dawson replied:

HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [10.16 pm]: I rise tonight because I wish to speak about the unhappy experience of two of my constituents whom I have been assisting out of my office. Unfortunately, their story is not unfamiliar to me. It is important that we start to talk about these issues. This couple is struggling with the fact that their son is a mentally impaired accused person. That highlights some of the problems in the system. This is a very articulate and committed couple, who recognise that their son has lifelong complex needs.