16038 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

16038 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: How many times has pepper spray been used, if any, during the period 31 October 2024 to 31 March 2025 by month (inclusive)?

Hon Mark Mitchell: In accordance with section 83 of the Corrections Act 2004, physical force may be used against people in prison when an officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the use of physical force is reasonably necessary: • in self-defence, in the defence of another person, or to protect the prisoner from injury; • in the case of an escape or attempted escape; • to prevent the prisoner from damaging any property. • in the case of active or passive resistance to a lawful order. I am further advised that physical force used (including the use of pepper spray) must always be reasonable, necessary, and proportionate in the circumstances. I refer the member to the attached table, which provides the number of times that pepper spray has been used between November 2024 to March 2025, broken down by month.