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Prisons Smoking Policies

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Speakers - Humpherson Mr Andrew; Watkins Mr John
Business - Questions Without Notice


    PRISONS SMOKING POLICIES
Page: 13348

    Mr HUMPHERSON: My question is directed to the Minister for Corrective Services. Why is the Government allowing prisoners and staff to smoke in gaols, in contradiction of health regulations for government buildings and commercial premises? Does this mean that New South Wales taxpayers will be liable for millions of dollars of compensation due to staff and prisoners being exposed to passive smoking?

    Mr WATKINS: The management of prisoners in New South Wales is a most difficult issue. We have collected in New South Wales over 7,000 prisoners. They are amongst the most difficult of our community to control, to educate and to assist in addressing their offending behaviours. This is a challenge that is recognised by those on both sides of the House. We have increasingly a prison system that is providing important therapy to the offending behaviours of the 7,500 prisoners who are in our gaol system. I am concerned, most importantly, that our prison population is secure, and that they do not escape from our gaols into the community. That is why I am very pleased to report that we are currently enjoying the safest period in the past 23 years of this State. Currently we are enjoying the lowest rate of escapes in 23 years.

    For that, I cannot claim credit; I have been Minister for Corrective Services for just six to eight weeks. The people most responsible for that excellent outcome in New South Wales are the previous Minister for Corrective Services and the hard-working men and women of the Department of Corrective Services, led by Commissioner Kelleher. Those who are most knowledgeable about the prison system in Australia—they do not include the shadow Minister for Corrective Services—and those most supportive of developing a modern corrective services system would acknowledge that New South Wales has under Commissioner Kelleher and the men and women of Corrective Services, a well-trained, professional outfit. I am proud to be the Minister for Corrective Services in New South Wales.

    Mr HUMPHERSON: I ask a supplementary question. In view of the Minister's response, will he ask Commissioner Kelleher, who is a smoker, to revoke his instruction to gaol governors to turn a blind eye to smoking in gaols because it is a good management tool for inmates?

    Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is not a supplementary question. It did not arise from the Minister's answer.

    Mr Hartcher: The Minister is on his feet and is willing to answer it.

    Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is not a supplementary question. I call the honourable member for South Coast.

    Mr Fraser: Point of order: It has been longstanding practice in this House for members of the Opposition to walk out of the Chamber if questions are ruled out of order. I ask you to draw standing orders to the attention of those Government members who are creating a ruckus and I ask you to call them to order.

    Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for South Coast has the call.


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