119: Inspection of Wooroloo Prison Farm

Wooroloo is one of three minimum-security prison farms for men in the Western Australian custodial estate. For the majority of its population, it provides the last chance for rehabilitation and reintegration before release back into the community. Wooroloo has defined its goal as becoming ‘Australia’s leading re-entry prison’. Built in 1914, Wooroloo was originally a …

Since the 2015 inspection, senior management at Wooroloo has continued to drive positive change. Relations between management and staff have become stronger, and morale has improved. Service provision across the prison was supporting rehabilitation and reintegration. Short courses at the Education Centre were improving employment prospects. Transitional management gave prisoners access to essential documentation before …

Although built in 1914 as a tuberculosis sanatorium, Wooroloo had used its heritage architecture to provide accommodation units that varied by status. Prisoners progressed through a hierarchy of accommodation, autonomy and privilege. Wooroloo’s population had doubled over the past decade, and a further 48 beds were planned. The increase in numbers had not compromised security …

Recommendation 1 The Department must invest in and deliver more therapeutic programs. Recommendation 2 The Department should increase Wooroloo’s transitional management capacity. Recommendation 3 In the absence of the Good Beginnings program, Wooroloo must ensure that prisoners can keep in contact with their children. Recommendation 4 Wooroloo must put strategies in place that increase the …