Promised Prison beds at Greenough still not delivered

In November 2009 the Barnett Government announced a new male maximum-security unit would be built at Greenough Prison then months later decided not to site the unit at Greenough but announced they would build a female unit in its place.

It’s now November 2011 and there has been no action yet on the new unit.

WA Prison Officers’ Union Secretary John Welch called on the State Government to deliver on their promises.

“Greenough Prison is holding over 280 inmates today in a prison designed for 219; that is more than 60 prisoners over the design capacity or 30 per cent more than the prison is designed for.

“New facilities are urgently needed at Greenough Prison, a fact recognised by the State Government. Yet two years on we have seen nothing that suggests the new female unit is going to be built.

Mr Welch said WA prisons were at breaking point with 13 out of 14 prisons in the state overcrowded.

“The working conditions of WA’s Prison Officers are already difficult, yet the State Government makes their jobs even more risky and dangerous by not delivering on promises to open more accommodation units.

“We call on local Liberal MP Ian Blayney to make clear whether the new unit will ever be built, and ensure the Barnett Government urgently delivers on their promises for Greenough Prison,’ said Mr Welch.

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