Prison Inspector says Bunbury Prison staff at risk while facility bursts at the seams.

The WA Prison Officers’ Union (WAPOU) has called on the Barnett Government to fix the serious concerns raised by the Inspector of Custodial Services in his report into Bunbury Regional Prison released today.

WAPOU Secretary John Welch said the Inspector’s report highlights overcrowding as a significant concern with the occupancy rate at the prison almost 50 per cent higher than capacity due to extra beds being added to small cells intended for single occupants.

“Professor Morgan’s report says the cramped conditions at the prison have led to an increase in violence amongst inmates and a break-down in prisoner-staff relations.”

Urging the Minister to address the concerns as a priority, Mr Welch said the report confirms what the union has been saying for months now, that Western Australia’s prison system is bursting at the seams.

“The problems raised by the Inspector don’t just happen at Bunbury alone, 13 out of 14 WA’s prisons are overcrowded, with too many prisoners crammed into cells that are designed for only one prisoner,” said Mr Welch.

“The Minister can’t keep saying our prisons are ‘below operational capacity’ when the Inspector of Custodial Services, the ‘independent umpire’, says our prisons are overcrowded and the staff are being put at risk.

“Professor Morgan’s report also highlights the knock on effects of overcrowding on our prisons causing tension amongst prisoners which leads to more assaults on fellow prisoners and can lead to assaults on staff.

“If the State Government wants to be tough on law and order it must match its talk with increased investment in prisons and delivery of appropriate new facilities.

“The government must act now and stop putting prison staff at risk,” said Mr Welch.

ENDS

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