In 2012, the state government announced plans to close the prison following the opening of West Kimberley Regional Prison (WKRP) in Derby. Staffing and services at Broome were reduced, and
management was transferred to WKRP. However, in 2015, this decision was reversed, and Broome resumed local management in 2016.
In 2019, the current government allocated $1.4 million to plan a new prison. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exists between the Shire of Broome, Yawuru (Traditional Landowners), and the Department of Justice committing to a collaborative site selection process, conducted in good faith, and inclusive of Yawuru and wider Kimberley community input. However, at the time of this inspection, there had been no progress in identifying a site for the new prison.
Since the first inspection in 2001, all eight previous inspections have consistently found Broome to be below standard. The need to replace Broome with a modern, fit-for-purpose facility remains
critical to this day.