A review has uncovered serious issues at WA’s largest regional prison.

A report into Bunbury Regional Prison has highlighted significant issues with overcrowding, ageing infrastructure, and staffing shortages, raising concerns about the facility's sustainability. 

The inspection, carried out in mid-2023 and released by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS), shows major challenges faced by Western Australia's largest regional prison, which houses over 500 inmates.

It says problems stem from the prison’s expanding population and the introduction of new programs without corresponding increases in resources. 

Inspector Eamon Ryan said that despite the prison's historically strong performance, the increases in population size and complexity have meant cracks were starting to appear in its operations.

“Management and staff have a record of just getting on with the job and making things work,” he said. 

“But this is becoming more untenable without greater system level support.”

The review found infrastructure deficiencies are one of the most serious concerns, with many facilities not keeping pace with the prison’s growth. 

Since opening in 1971 with a capacity of 86, the prison now accommodates 569 inmates. Despite expansions, insufficient infrastructure has led to inadequate service delivery and strained working conditions for staff.

Staffing shortages were found to have led to increased tension and frustration among workers. These shortages have also affected the prison’s ability to implement important programs and services effectively.

Although Bunbury’s primary health team has increased, many prisoners, especially those with complex health needs, reported that their health requirements were not being met promptly. The prison also faced significant delays in dental care and lacked sufficient mental health resources.

Additionally, there were reported issues of bullying and sexual harassment among staff, which are currently under independent investigation by WorkSafe. 

The OICS report indicated that while mechanisms for addressing grievances were in place, staff did not always feel safe or supported in using these processes.

In response to the OICS report, the Department of Justice has supported six out of seven recommendations aimed at addressing the identified issues. 

These include developing a strategic plan for the prison system, reviewing the adequacy of Bunbury’s management and leadership positions, and auditing the prison’s infrastructure. The Department has also initiated a statewide recruitment and retention strategy for health and mental health services and is working to streamline processes for prisoner reintegration activities.

One recommendation, however, was not supported by the Department. This recommendation suggested the development of a statewide policy for managing specific cohorts of prisoners, such as older, long-term, and foreign national prisoners. 

The Department argued that existing policies were adequate for managing these groups and highlighted new infrastructure builds designed to accommodate older prisoners.

Despite the challenges, the Department acknowledged the dedication of Bunbury's management and staff in maintaining high operational standards. 

The implementation of the Djarraly Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Reintegration Service was noted as a significant achievement, despite the additional strain it placed on resources. 

The Department says it has committed to working with Bunbury to improve operations and ensure the facility can continue to provide quality care and services to its inmates.

Additionally, ongoing WorkSafe investigation into staff allegations, alongside the Department’s initiatives, aims to address the pressing issues at Bunbury Regional Prison.