An Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) report has acknowledged the critical role Casuarina Prison plays as a safety net for the entire WA prison system.
On top of managing a large general population, Casuarina delivers a range of specialist functions and houses prisoners from across the State with complex behavioural, health, protection and security needs.
Underpinned by strong leadership in the face of higher prisoner numbers, Casuarina continues to maintain safe and secure operations at the maximum-security facility while the Department of Justice implements custodial estate‑wide reforms.
OICS said strong leadership, staff resilience and collaborative workplace relationships had assisted Casuarina in responding to its prisoner population growth, staffing and infrastructure pressures.
The report said these pressures had an impact on the consistent delivery of programs, services and other aspects of daily prison routines.
The Department has already implemented and is advancing a range of operational, recruitment and infrastructure initiatives to help address issues OICS identified at the prison.
Specialist functions for its increasingly complex cohort of prisoners are provided in Casuarina's Special Handling Unit, Special Protection Unit, Crisis Care Unit, Multi-Purpose Unit and Infirmary.
Key initiatives and projects include further infrastructure upgrades and expansion in the form of mental health, high-risk, high-needs and assisted care units, and increased funding for clinical resources. The State Budget provided $32.6 million over five years for more positions in nursing and mental health.
"Issues identified by OICS are being addressed through an escalated and demonstrably active plan that includes immediate operational controls, demand‑reduction initiatives, strengthened cross‑agency governance and a structured custodial infrastructure program," Department Director General Kylie Maj said.
"We are focused on delivering sustainable enhancements at Casuarina and across other prisons to support staff and prisoner wellbeing, rehabilitation and community safety," she said.
"The Department also remains committed to long-term reforms in custodial settings and the justice pipeline, including reducing wait times for trials and improving access to bail."
Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said Casuarina's performance demonstrated strong custodial practice in a demanding environment.
"Casuarina continues to be securely run in the face of unprecedented demand and complexity thanks to the expertise and dedication of its workforce," Commissioner Royce said.
"The prison is managing some of the State's most challenging cohorts with professionalism, resilience and a clear commitment to safety," he said.
"We continue to maintain stability, expand capacity and specialist functions, and adapt routines to ensure access to services and out-of-cell hours, while aggressively recruiting and training officers to bolster staff numbers."
