WKRP operations are guided by an innovative philosophy that involves holding prisoners on or near Country and service delivery informed by traditional culture fostering independent living skills.
Most prisoners at WKRP live in self-care shared houses and do their own cooking, cleaning and laundry.
While striving to maintain this operating model, WKRP has had to manage pressures relating to the growing prisoner population and complex needs of the prisoners in the Department’s care.
OICS also acknowledged the complexities of managing prisons in Western Australia’s Kimberley region against the extremes of remote locations, climate and expense.
The rising prisoner population creates service delivery, staffing and resourcing challenges across the entire WA custodial estate.
This has resulted in high demand for beds and necessitated increased inter-prison transfers. WKRP had also experienced a greater intake of remand prisoners.
OICS recognised elements of WKRP’s foundational philosophy were still evident and noted that new Yarning Circles were a positive recognition of traditional Aboriginal practice and provided areas for structured group interaction.
It also noted education services, security procedures and community re-entry support had improved, WKRP’s Prisoner Risk Assessment Group was performing well in supporting at-risk prisoners and prisoners had good access to experienced mental health staff.
Department Director General Kylie Maj said the Department will continue to identify and prioritise solutions to manage population pressures and realise opportunities for prisoners to maintain their cultural connections.
“The Department is committed to maintaining the WKRP’s operating philosophy and the Corrective Services division is working on prisoner population management strategies to make more beds available across WA’s prison network,” she said.
Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said while WKRP is not without its challenges, it was pleasing to note that the quality-of-life rating among prisoners was still at or above the State average.
“The prison’s management and staff are to be commended for the safe and secure operation of a regional custodial facility housing an increasingly complex and large cohort of prisoners,” he said.
