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:
The Department of Justice advises:
(a) Nil.
(b) The Departments of Justice and Health, together with the Mental Health Commission, are working together to determine if there would be better health outcomes for offenders and greater efficiencies and professional support to staff if Prison Health transferred to the Department of Health.