Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA has slammed the State Government for its lack of funding for Greenough Prison, calling the announcement of increased beds at Acacia Prison a missed opportunity to expand services locally.
Announced on Sunday, the State Government plans to upgrade Acacia Prison to increase its capacity by 320 beds, but no further expansion for other prisons had been flagged.
Ms Warr said it was disappointing there was nothing locally despite Greenough Prison being under pressure, most recently with the uncovering of a planned riot.
The WA Prison Officers’ Union itself saying the system is becoming a tinder box, which could lead to further unruly disturbances.
“Prisons are not meant to be comfortable, but they are designed to work. At the moment Greenough Regional Prison is under stress,” Ms Warr said.
“Inmates have said being able to stay on country is of important cultural significance, so having more beds would allow this to occur.
“The prison needs attention to ensure the system can cope with the demand, and increased capacity would allow families to stay connected when in the prison system.
“Having no local funding for expansion shows the lack of consideration we have come to expect from the Cook Labor Government.”
Earlier this year, the Office of the Auditor General’s inspection report into Greenough Regional Prison highlighted an increased population and that infrastructure had not been upgraded to keep up with demand.
Meanwhile, overcrowding saw the women’s unit four being repurposed to accommodate on country prisoners, with the female prisoners temporarily moved to Perth before returning to another unit.
Ms Warr said there was a clear need for upgrades.
“The report highlighted a need for change, but these changes are being overlooked,” she said.
“To have a purpose-built facility that can’t even by used by the prisoners who it was intended to be used by shows a clear failure in planning from this State Government.”
The report highlighted nine recommendations, one of which was to audit the prison’s infrastructure and cohort requirements to plan ahead.
Ms Warr said she has written to the Corrective Services Minister to seek an update into the recommendations for Greenough Regional Prison and timelines for delivery.