Casuarina Prison (Casuarina) is a maximum-security facility for male prisoners. Opened in 1991 with
a design capacity for 397 sentenced prisoners, the prison has changed in size and function
significantly over the years. By 1998 the population had increased to 530 through double-bunking
cells. A riot occurred on Christmas Day that year which resulted in the installation of additional
security infrastructure.
Two additional units offering 128 cells and 256 beds were opened in 2012. In 2019 work
commenced on four units offering 256 cells and 512 beds. One of these units was annexed as a
youth facility in July 2022. When we last inspected Casuarina in September 2022 its capacity was
1,386. There has been ongoing construction and expansion since then.
By the time of the 2025 inspection, the prison had 1,691 general-purpose beds, with a total capacity
of 1,816. A triple-bunking project began in July 2025 which added five beds to each wing across four
units and finished shortly after our inspection, increasing the general-purpose bed capacity to 1,711.
Once Casuarina Prison Expansion Tranche 2 works are complete and Unit 18 returns to the adult
male estate, Casuarina’s total capacity will be around 2,044 beds.
This year, the prison has consistently operated above capacity, with close to two thirds of the
population on remand. The prison provides specialist statewide functions for specific cohorts of
prisoners, which include the Special Handling Unit (SHU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Crisis Care
Unit (CCU), Mallee Rehabilitation Centre, and Infirmary. Additional functions included as part of the
expansion are mental health support, high needs, and assisted care units.