Overcrowding – Prisons at Breaking Point

While the State Government talks big on Law and Order, less attention is given to the capacity of WA’s prisons to deal with those who reach the end of the line.

Eleven out of 14 prisons are already holding far more inmates than they are designed to.

Since the beginning of 2009, the prison population has increased 25 per cent – from 3,923 to 4,886 inmates. That’s a similar level of growth to the previous eight years!

Estimates based on the current projected growth of WA’s prison population show that prisons will be short 1,200 beds by 2015, even with any new proposed prison facilities.

Prison Officers know from experience that there is a direct correlation between prison overcrowding and the number of assaults that take place in prisons.

And while the prison population has increased, the number of prison officers has not kept pace – despite efforts to recruit. Prison Officers are managing more prisoners than ever before.

Respect the Risk is asking the West Australian Government to address the overcrowding crisis by committing adequate resources.

Read what The West had to say about overcrowded jails:
Riot Risk in Overcrowded Jails

Read what was written about the overcrowding crisis in the Sunday Times:
Figures Show Big Jump in Prison Assaults