Page 1578 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 April 2011
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MR HANSON (Molonglo) (3.07): Obviously the Burnet Institute report has been the subject of some attention both here in the Assembly and in the media. As members would be aware, I was provided a copy of a report which was titled the final report December 2010, and I note that today the report tabled by the minister is the final report dated April 2011.
Part of, I guess, the spin that has been put out by the government when a report was provided to media and we have been talking about it in the Assembly—and indeed Simon Corbell’s refusal to even talk about the report—has been that of course the report that I had was different somehow from the final report that has been tabled. And probably it is in small part. I have just had about five minutes to have a cursory examination of the two reports. I note that one is two pages longer than the other. In fact, the final dated April is two pages longer than the final dated December. I would not suggest from my cursory reading and a comparison so far that there is any consequential difference, but I am prepared to stand corrected on a number of issues if that proves to be incorrect.
Ms Gallagher: There aren’t major changes to it.
MR HANSON: There is very little difference. So I think it is important that we just note the report that has been tabled by the minister today. I have only had a chance to flick through about half of it. Part of what the minister has been saying both in the media and in this place is: “Oh, these are just quotes from prisoners. These are just quotes from people. These are allegations.” But let me read what this summary says about a number of issues: “lack of consultation with front-line staff during policy development”, “inadequate implementation of policies”, “human rights approach has emphasised rights more than responsibilities”, “disciplinary conflicts have been occurring”, “policy not adequately guiding how to balance harm minimisation interventions”, “lack of leadership and coordination of drug-related activities”.
Just bear with me while I go to the next section: “fragmentation of case management service system”, “lack of awareness of AMC Case Managers amongst prisoners”, “poor relationships between AMC Case Managers and prisoners”, “confusion between case managers and case officer roles”, “differential access to case management”, “lack of coordination of services provided to prisoners”, “lack of role clarity among service providers”, “poor communication between service providers”, “implementation of throughcare has been inadequate”, “insufficient counselling opportunities available to prisoners”, insufficient awareness among prisoners of counselling”, “insufficient resources to offer counselling to all prisoners”, “poorer access to education and employment programs than in NSW prisons”, “greater variety of courses needed”, “courses are being started and discontinued”, “gym should be available”, “opportunities for recreation can improve wellbeing”, “recreational opportunities can improve order within the prison”.
It goes on: “delays experienced by prisoners in accessing health staff”, “systemic problems with prisoners reporting health issues and requests to nursing staff on medication rounds”, “lack of care and discharge planning”, “problems with clinical record keeping”, conflict between forensic mental health and ACT corrections health
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