Image of the walkway running next to Unit 2 at Bunbury Regional Prison

Announced Inspection of Bunbury Regional Prison

The three-yearly inspection of Regional Prison (Bunbury) will be occurring in February 2026. Bunbury is the largest regional prison in Western Australia and a mixed classification facility accommodating sentenced and remanded male prisoners. Bunbury delivers a broad range of services including prison employment, education, therapeutic programs and external work in the community. In 2023, a …

Revised Inspection Standards for Adult Custodial Facilities

The Inspector of Custodial Services has released revised Inspection Standards for Adult Custodial Facilities (the Standards). These Standards are grounded in international human rights agreements and national correctional guidelines. They are used to assess the performance of adult custodial facilities in Western Australia during inspections. The revision is part of a broader review of the …

Image of the open main area and basketball court at Broome Regional Prison

Announced Inspection of Broome Regional Prison

Broome Regional Prison, Western Australia’s oldest operational prison, is scheduled for its ninth inspection by the Office in May 2025. Originally commissioned in 1945, the prison includes three accommodation blocks and administrative buildings centred around the ‘Bull Pen,’ a secure shed built in 1895. Broome is a mixed-gender, minimum-security facility but also accommodates remand and …

Image of a Doctor's hand holding a stethoscope on a pregnant women's stomach

Review Announcement: The management of pregnant women in custody

Many women are received into custody experiencing a range of chronic health issues, including substance withdrawal, undiagnosed health conditions or untreated mental health conditions (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023). And it is recognised that incarcerated women have increased incidence of health conditions (DOJ, 2022; OICS, 2024; OICS, 2021). A number of these women …

Image of a magnifying glass enlarging the word Crisis on a dictionary page

Review Announcement: People in custody requiring crisis care

People in custody experiencing acute distress should have access to appropriate crisis care. Mental health disorders affect a significant proportion of the Australian community. It is estimated that approximately 44 per cent of Australians have experienced some form of mental illness within their lifetime (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2022). Consequently, this trend translates …

Image of the fenced and gated entrance to Warburton Work Camp

Announced Inspection of Work Camps

The Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services has announced an inspection of work camps across Western Australia. External activities – including employment and resocialisation – are an important element in a prisoner’s rehabilitation and reintegration journey. Work camps provide adult male prisoners an opportunity to participate in meaningful work in a community environment. These …