171: Inspection of Melaleuca Women’s Prison

Melaleuca Women’s Prison is Western Australia’s primary receival and remand facility for women, though it has a complex and evolving history. The site originated as two additional accommodation units (Units 11 and 12) of Hakea Prison. These were commissioned in 2011 to expand capacity for the male estate. However, these units were underutilised due to …

A Show Cause Notice was issued prior to the inspection Nearly two years after a Show Cause Notice was first issued for Hakea Prison, conditions across the custodial estate remained in crisis. The male prisons, Hakea and Casuarina, and Melaleuca Women’s Prison faced particular challenges, and all three facilities were the subject of a Show …

Recommendation 1 Build a fit-for-purpose remand facility for adult women. Recommendation 2 Develop and implement an appropriate staffing model for all aspects of Melaleuca’s operations. Recommendation 3 Melaleuca’s reception should be fully staffed at all times by officers specifically trained in reception processes. Recommendation 4 Ensure contracted supports at Melaleuca are sufficiently resourced to provide …