82176 (2024). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

82176 (2024). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: What are the specific criteria, if any, used to determine placement in the Persons of Extreme Risk Unit (PERU), and what steps are being taken to improve the transparency of these decisions?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit (PERU) was set up in 2019 to manage the most dangerous prisoners safely to ensure they cannot cause further harm, bringing together specialist staff with the right skills, capability and experience to manage the extreme risk posed by a small group of prisoners, including those with convictions for terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime. Prisoners can be accommodated in the PERU if there is an ongoing risk they will threaten, intimidate or behave violently towards others, or influence other prisoners to do the same. This includes prisoners who hold extremist views or who are at risk of radicalisation or violent extremism, as well as prisoners who are connected to sophisticated organised criminal networks and have the capability to seriously compromise the safety and security of our staff and prisons. I am advised that a panel consisting of Persons of Extreme Risk Directorate (PERD) staff, other senior Corrections staff and external subject matter experts makes recommendations in relation to placement decisions in the PERU. All referrals for potential placement in PERU are carefully assessed and reviewed before a final decision is made by the PERD Director. People in PERU can initiate a review of their PERU Placement by contacting the Commissioner Custodial Services. The Commissioner Custodial Services will review the individual’s placement in the PERU in conjunction with the DCE Pae Ora and inform the Director PERD of the outcome. I am further advised that all people in prison, including those in PERU, are made aware of their right to make a complaint, including complaints about their placement. They are also made aware of the other channels of complaint available to them such as the Office of the Ombudsman, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Health and Disability Commissioner and the Human Rights Commission. In relation to directed segregation, as with all people in prison, in accordance with sections 58 to 60 of the Corrections Act 2004, people in PERU can be placed on directed segregation and lawfully denied association with other prisoners. Segregated prisoners continue to be provided with the same minimum entitlements as other people in prison, as set out in the Corrections Act 2004. They also have regular and ongoing contact with Corrections staff, including health services staff and mental health professionals as required. This is also my response to WPQ 82177 (2024).