Media Releases

Government tries to cover up true extent of prison overcrowding

The WA Prison Officers’ Union has accused the State Government of trying to cover up the true extent of WA’s prison overcrowding, after a new report revealed the system is operating at 148% of its intended capacity. The report by the Office of ...

WAPOU to take Sodexo to Fair Work for ripping off prison officers

The WA Prison Officers’ Union has accused private contractor Sodexo of ripping off its staff at the new women’s prison before it’s even commenced operations. Sodexo is a multinational company selected by the State Government to manage th ...

Union warning over regional staff rent increases

The Prison Officers’ Union is warning of a potential prison staff shortage as a result of the State Government increasing rents in staff housing in regional areas. The government has increased rents by up to 15 percent, or $60 a fortnight in some ar ...

WA should follow U.S. lead and dump private prisons

The WA Prison Officers Union has called on the State Government to follow the lead of the US Justice Department, which is phasing out the use of privately run prisons. The Justice Department has announced its contracts with 13 private prisons will be allo ...

Union sceptical about new incentive model for women's prison

The WA Prison Officers’ Union is highly sceptical about the government’s new incentive model for the private operator of WA’s new women’s prison. The government has announced Sodexo will be awarded incentive payments if it prevents ...

Union warns Bandyup overcrowding a threat to safety

The WA Prison Officers’ Union is warning that the situation at WA’s main women’s prison is becoming increasingly volatile, as overcrowding hits record levels.The prison population at Bandyup hit a record 402 prisoners this week, in a prison designed ...

Female prisoners forced to sleep on the floor at Bandyup Prison

The overcrowding at WA’s women’s prison has become so severe, female prisoners have been forced to sleep on the floor.This week, the prison population hit a record 402 prisoners, in a prison designed to hold only around 250 prisoners.WA Prison Officer ...

Problems at Hakea Prison foreseeable and avoidable

The WA Prison Officers’ Union said a damning report on Hakea prison by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services has highlighted a number of foreseeable and preventable issues.The report into WA’s remand prison has found that prisoners, most o ...

Prison Officers’ Union disappointed over government decision

The WA Prison Officers’ Union said it was very disappointed the State Government had named a private provider as the preferred operator for WA’s new Women’s Remand and Reintegration Facility at Hakea prison.The government has announced it’s enteri ...

Government denials on staff shortage cost the public $700,000

The WA Prison Officers’ Union has welcomed the Corrective Services Commissioner’s commitment to employing more staff in WA’s overcrowded prison system.Commissioner James McMahon confirmed in budget estimates hearings yesterday that many of the state ...

Concern as prison population hits 6,000 for the first time

The WA Prison Officers’ Union is concerned for its members’ safety, after the state’s prison population exceeded 6,000 for the first time.The prison system is designed to hold around 4,200 prisoners, and the State Government has been dealing with th ...

Prison Officer lucky to escape with minor injuries after serious attack at Albany Regional Prison

A Prison Officer was lucky to escape with minor injuries after a serious attack by a prisoner at Albany Regional Prison.The Prison Officer was in the kitchen yesterday (Thursday) when the prisoner sneaked into the area, after earlier being stood down from ...

Union concerned about Serco savings to meet new contract

The WA Prison Officers’ Union is concerned about what measures contractor Serco will take to make up for the $33 million dollar reduction in its contract to manage Acacia prison.The State Government has today announced that it has renegotiated a five-ye ...

Federal report confirms WA locking up women faster than any other state in the country

The latest federal Report on Government Services has revealed that Western Australia has the highest rate of female imprisonment of all the States (bar the Northern Territory).The Productivity Commission’s report reveals WA has a female imprisonment rat ...

Bandyup Women's Prison reaches crisis point

The WA Prison Officers’ Union has warned that Bandyup women’s prison is at crisis point, after overcrowding reached a new record high.The prison population was at more than 355 this week, in a prison designed to house around 250 prisoners.WAPOU Secret ...