Hakea is one of Western Australia’s largest maximum-security prisons and serves as the main remand facility for adult male prisoners.
After inspecting Hakea last year, OICS said in a report that Hakea was “struggling to meet the needs of a growing adult male prison population” and issued a show cause notice to the Department.
OICS cited prisoners’ living conditions and welfare as key areas of concern arising from the inspection.
The Department acknowledged the issues raised and formed the multidisciplinary Hakea taskforce.
Department Director General Kylie Maj said the taskforce’s objective was to devise and implement strategies to improve conditions at the prison.
“We are committed to addressing OICS’ concerns and taking action to enhance the safety and welfare of Hakea prisoners and staff,” she said.
“The Department continues to recruit staff, which is critical to improving conditions for prisoners at Hakea and increasing the capacity of the entire adult prison estate.”
Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said the growing prisoner population across the adult custodial estate had placed greater demands on the prison system, the workforce and the provision of services and programs.
“This has particularly impacted Hakea, where an increasing number of remanded maximum-security prisoners are held,” he said.
“Hakea’s dedicated and resilient staff continue to efficiently and safely manage the prison’s operations which in turn protects the community.”
The taskforce was focused on staff recruitment and retention initiatives, short-term infrastructure projects and management of prisoners across the custodial estate.
A long-term infrastructure plan is also being developed to meet current and future population demands.
