Page 5278 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 15 November 2011
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MR CORBELL: Generally speaking—
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members!
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hanson!
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Members, that is enough. The next person that speaks before we get to Mr Corbell will pay the consequences. Mr Corbell, you have the floor.
MR CORBELL: Generally speaking, prisoners are not hindered from undertaking programs and activities. However, there are circumstances where they cannot. The primary reason why they cannot is because they are in segregation and cannot come into contact with other prisoners. It is simply not feasible to run two lots of programs, given the very small numbers of prisoners involved, where some prisoners are on segregation and are unable to engage with other prisoners who may be undertaking those programs. Regrettably, these circumstances do occur from time to time, but they are isolated and they relate to the need to segregate some prisoners from other prisoners for their own safety and security.
In relation to the earlier question that was asked about the exercise areas for prisoners on segregation—for example because they are in the crisis management unit—they do have their own private exercise yard. That yard is small. That yard does have wire across the top of it because of the need to maintain operational security. But all elements of that facility have been assessed as consistent with our human rights obligations and, indeed, were part of the integral design of the centre which the Human Rights Commission was closely involved in.
There is no doubt that the physical design of this facility was developed in close consultation with the Human Rights Commission. These issues were looked at as part of the design of the facility. I accept that the Official Visitor has a particular view about these matters, but that does not—
MS BRESNAN: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Just one moment. Mr Corbell will finish his sentence. No? Okay, Ms Bresnan has the call.
MS BRESNAN: Minister, has there been any resolution of the situation of long-term detainees at the crisis support unit having access to larger or grassed areas for recreation?
MR CORBELL: The number of long-term detainees in the crisis support unit has reduced significantly since this issue was of concern a number of months ago. That
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