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South Australia: Security Hospital

South Australia: Security Hospital AUST. & N.Z. JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY (Mar., 1973): 6, 1 SINCE 1962, several proposals have been considered for the movement of the Hospital for Criminal Mental Defectives, known as Z Ward, from the grounds of Glenside Hospital toa site either within or adjoining Yatala Labor Prison. The project has now developed some urgency because of the need to replace Z Ward, which is located on the 16.5 acres of land at the eastern side of the Glenside Hospital which the Government has made available to the Mines Department and the Australian Mineral Foundation to develop a mineral science centre. The term, criminal mental defective, has been used in legislation dealing with those suffering from psychiatric illness who commit ottences, but it is hoped this archaic term will be used no longer. The present hospital for such patients at Glenside was built in 1885 and can accom­ modate up to 36 patients and at present 33 are being treated in this section. The accommodation and facilities in the hospital are totally inadequate for the treatment of psychiatric patients under detention because of the age and design of the building. In addition the presence of a maximum security unit within a psychiatric hospital is inappropriate in terms of modern psychiatric practice. It was considered most desirable that the new hospital, to be known as the Security Hospital, should be located adjacent to the Yatala Labor Prison, although it is appreciated there are other schools of thought concerning the location of such treatment .facfltties, e.g., in a special hospital, distinct from a gaol or a hospital. However, by locating the new hospital alongside Yatala Labor Prison, prisoners can be transferred conveniently to and from the prison for treatment, as well as for psychiatric assessment. It is considered therefore that the capacity of the hospital should be 60 beds instead of 36, having regard to the increased use of facilities that will be provided and also future needs. There will be a division of responsibilities in the Security Hospital area. The Superintendent of the Yatala Labor Prison will be responsible for security, catering requirements, laundry and maintenance of buildings and equipment. Mental Health Services, through the Superintendent of Hillcrest Hospital, will provide professional services and nursing care. It is proposed that staff from Mental Health Services will be rotated. On being detailed for duty in the Security Hospital, Mental Health Services personnel will receive instructions in security procedures. A Prisons Officer will be located in the Security Hospital at all times. The services of psychologists, social workers, trained nurses and occupational therapists will be provided in appropriate accommodation and a special area will be provided for the treatment of p·hy~ically sick patients. The cost of construction and equipment Of' the Security Hospital should qualify for Commonwealth Assistance under the States Grants (Mental Health Institutions) Act. The estimated cost of construction will be slightly under $1,000,000 and foundations are now being sunk and basic work, e.g, sewerage and drainage pipes are being laid. It Is hoped the Security Hospital will be in use by the end of 1973. C. RADESKI Forensic psychiatrist, Adelaide http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology SAGE

South Australia: Security Hospital

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Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
Copyright © by SAGE Publications
ISSN
0004-8658
eISSN
1837-9273
DOI
10.1177/000486587300600109
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AUST. & N.Z. JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY (Mar., 1973): 6, 1 SINCE 1962, several proposals have been considered for the movement of the Hospital for Criminal Mental Defectives, known as Z Ward, from the grounds of Glenside Hospital toa site either within or adjoining Yatala Labor Prison. The project has now developed some urgency because of the need to replace Z Ward, which is located on the 16.5 acres of land at the eastern side of the Glenside Hospital which the Government has made available to the Mines Department and the Australian Mineral Foundation to develop a mineral science centre. The term, criminal mental defective, has been used in legislation dealing with those suffering from psychiatric illness who commit ottences, but it is hoped this archaic term will be used no longer. The present hospital for such patients at Glenside was built in 1885 and can accom­ modate up to 36 patients and at present 33 are being treated in this section. The accommodation and facilities in the hospital are totally inadequate for the treatment of psychiatric patients under detention because of the age and design of the building. In addition the presence of a maximum security unit within a psychiatric hospital is inappropriate in terms of modern psychiatric practice. It was considered most desirable that the new hospital, to be known as the Security Hospital, should be located adjacent to the Yatala Labor Prison, although it is appreciated there are other schools of thought concerning the location of such treatment .facfltties, e.g., in a special hospital, distinct from a gaol or a hospital. However, by locating the new hospital alongside Yatala Labor Prison, prisoners can be transferred conveniently to and from the prison for treatment, as well as for psychiatric assessment. It is considered therefore that the capacity of the hospital should be 60 beds instead of 36, having regard to the increased use of facilities that will be provided and also future needs. There will be a division of responsibilities in the Security Hospital area. The Superintendent of the Yatala Labor Prison will be responsible for security, catering requirements, laundry and maintenance of buildings and equipment. Mental Health Services, through the Superintendent of Hillcrest Hospital, will provide professional services and nursing care. It is proposed that staff from Mental Health Services will be rotated. On being detailed for duty in the Security Hospital, Mental Health Services personnel will receive instructions in security procedures. A Prisons Officer will be located in the Security Hospital at all times. The services of psychologists, social workers, trained nurses and occupational therapists will be provided in appropriate accommodation and a special area will be provided for the treatment of p·hy~ically sick patients. The cost of construction and equipment Of' the Security Hospital should qualify for Commonwealth Assistance under the States Grants (Mental Health Institutions) Act. The estimated cost of construction will be slightly under $1,000,000 and foundations are now being sunk and basic work, e.g, sewerage and drainage pipes are being laid. It Is hoped the Security Hospital will be in use by the end of 1973. C. RADESKI Forensic psychiatrist, Adelaide

Journal

Australian & New Zealand Journal of CriminologySAGE

Published: Mar 1, 1973

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