Media Releases

Hakea Prison tension at an all time high

The WA Prison Officers’ Union has warned of more assaults, deaths and prisoner escapes if serious staffing shortages are not dealt with at Hakea Prison. In the past five months Hakea has seen four deaths in custody, numerous serious assaults on pris ...

Greenough Regional Prison plans fail to eliminate riot risk

The WA Prison Officers’ Union warns plans to upgrade Greenough Regional Prison will not eliminate risk and will leave it as unsafe as it was prior to the 2018 riot. WAPOU was told by the department last week how the $12.3 million dollars allocated f ...

WAPOU calls for reform to strip searching in WA prisons

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) has welcomed the findings of a review into strip search policies at WA prisons, especially in relation to staff and visitors, but says a trial of less invasive and more effective scanning technology should be co ...

WAPOU recognises prison officers on National Corrections Day

WAPOU RECOGNISES PRISON OFFICERS ON NATIONAL CORRECTIONS DAY The WA Prison Officers’ Union has commended the efforts, courage and professionalism of WA prison officers after what has been a difficult year in prisons across the State. On National Cor ...

WAPOU calls for better medical facilities at women's prison

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) has welcomed recommendations for improved infrastructure, a new infirmary and better operational processes at Bandyup Women’s Prison, but says prison officers acted as fast as they could during a birth eme ...

WAPOU warns staffing issue not isolated to Greenough

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) is calling on the State Government to ensure all WA prisons are adequately staffed and safe following the Critical Incident Review into the events at Greenough Regional Prison. WAPOU warns the issues outlined in ...

Union warns WA's newest prison already at crisis point

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) warns the State’s newest prison is already at breaking point with serious overcrowding and staffing shortages. Last Thursday up to 18 male prisoners slept on the floor of the Eastern Goldfields Regional Pr ...

WAPOU calls on State Government to invest in WA prisons

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) is calling on the State Government to act on recommendations to invest in Albany Regional Prison following a damming report by the Inspector of Custodial Services. The report tabled in Parliament today found Alb ...

WAPOU welcomes recruitment plan for WA prison officers

The WA Prison Officers’ Union has welcomed a prison officer recruitment strategy by the Department of Corrective Services. The initial plan was presented to WAPOU during a meeting this morning and outlined a commitment to recruit an additional 408 p ...

WAPOU warns of further incidents without safe staffing

The WA Prison Officers’ Union is calling on the State Government to meet agreed staffing levels at all WA prisons immediately or risk further incidents. The union’s members are not surprised a riot broke out at Greenough Regional Prison yester ...

Melaleuca: Make it Public

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) is calling on the State Government to take immediate action and put an end to the private contract of Melaleuca Remand and Reintegration Facility following a damming report. The Office of the Inspector of Custod ...

Dangerous WA prison environments need more resources

The WA Prison Officers’ Union supports recommendations for more appropriate training for prison officers following the Corruption and Crime Commission Reports into inadequate use of force reporting. Prison officers work in extremely hostile and dang ...

WAPOU calls on government to implement CCC recommendations

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) is calling on the State Government to act immediately on recommendations made in the Corruption and Crime Commission Report on corrupt custodial officers and the risks of contraband entering prisons. WAPOU Secre ...

WA's overcrowded prisons a disaster waiting to happen

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) warns the alarming number of prisoners in WA compared to the rest of the country is a powder-keg situation ready to explode. The figures revealed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show a record 6893 people ...

WA Womens' Prison unsafe - Prison Officers hospitalised

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) is concerned more staff will be seriously injured if action isn’t taken at Melaleuca Remand and Reintegration Facility. The latest incident where nine prison officers were hospitalised with smoke inhalatio ...