Two new accommodation units and a support unit will open at Casuarina Prison next month, providing an additional 256 beds to the Western Australian custodial estate.
The Minister for Corrective Services, Francis Logan, joined the Department of Justice Director General, Dr Adam Tomison and Corrective Services Commissioner, Tony Hassall for an inspection of the new buildings lead by Superintendent James Schilo.
The additional capacity will provide relief to the estate, allowing greater flexibility for prisoner movement.
Later this year, one of the units will be converted into the first alcohol and other drug treatment facility for male prisoners, with capacity to treat up to 128 prisoners.
"A survey by State Government agencies in 2015 found that more than 60 per cent of adults entering custodial facilities had used ice or speed in the past year. If we can better treat those prisoners with drug and alcohol dependencies, it will give them a better chance of avoiding relapse on their release," said Dr Tomison.
The expansion of Casuarina Prison is part of a $96.6 million plan to provide an additional 512 beds to the custodial estate and to upgrade key support buildings.
"The expansion will include a new kitchen, upgrades and expansions to the existing medical centre, visitor area, reception area and car park. This new state of the art facility is a credit to everyone involved in the build, from the architects, to Broad Construction and the Operations team in Corrective Services," said Commissioner Hassall.
Once complete, the project will bring Casuarina Prison’s capacity to around 1,500, making it the second largest prison in WA and one of the most innovative.
