Greens spokesperson for Corrective services and Child Protection the Hon Alison Xamon MLC has today again called for urgent action to address the systemic issues that are resulting in vulnerable children and young people being held in Banksia Hill Detention Centre because there is nowhere else for them to go.
“This situation is absolutely unacceptable, particularly given it is an issue that has well and truly been on the Government’s radar for at least two years.
Greens spokesperson for child protection and youth justice Hon Alison Xamon MLC has called on the Minister for Child Protection to urgently address the underlying issues that left a 10 year old boy facing imprisonment because there was nowhere else for him to go. Ms Xamon said that the case, which was reported today in the West Australian newspaper, highlighted serious concerns she has been raising regarding the lack of capacity in the child protection system to support children and young people who have behavioural issues.
Greens spokesperson for corrective services Hon Alison Xamon MLC has expressed her frustration as answers to her questions in parliament last night revealed that the WA State Government has allocated no funds in the 2019-20 budget to address understaffing of prison counselling and mental health services in WA prisons.
Greens spokesperson for corrective services Hon Alison Xamon MLC has repeated her call for the Minister for Corrective Services to address understaffing of prison counselling and mental health services following the coroner’s release of findings into the inquest of five suicides at Casuarina prison.
“The coroner identified ‘critical shortfalls’ in these essential mental health services, and recommended the Department of Justice take ‘urgent steps’ to recruit more staff,” said Ms Xamon.
Greens spokesperson for corrective services and health Hon Alison Xamon MLC has again raised her concerns about the lack of health services provided to WA prisoners following the release today of Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) report The health of Australia’s prisoners 2018.
“This comprehensive report provides further evidence of the significant, complex and largely unmet health needs of prisoners,” said Ms Xamon.
