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 prison officers over the next two years.

WAPOU Acting Secretary Paul Ledingham said “the plan looked promising  and is a step closer to a long-term solution to the serious staffing shortages at WA Prisons.”

“We are pleased the Department has taken heed of WAPOU’s advice on long-term staffing recruitment.

“During the meeting we were presented a document that showed as of June 30 this year, state-wide there were more than 65 front line vacancies in WA Prisons. That situation has been worsened with the subsequent opening of Wandoo Rehabilitation Facility.

“Although this is an excellent first step in combatting the staffing issues, there is still work to be done in managing the immediate shortages and developing a regional staffing strategy, which will include Greenough and Eastern Goldfields Regional Prisons.

“Almost all WA Prisons are running short on staff on any given day and there is still the risk of further incidents.

“We look forward to working with both the Department and the State Government over the coming weeks to ensure our prisons are run safely,” Mr Ledingham said.

WAPOU will continue to support members through this difficult period as the clean-up continues at Greenough Regional Prison. The union will do what it can to assist authorities in getting the facility back up and running safely.