This Office found that Pardelup provided an example of the benefits of simple things like fresh air, single cells, positive work opportunities and respectful relationships. This report found that strong local leadership had driven the prison’s re-entry focus, with support from competent and committed re-entry, vocational training, custodial and medical staff.

At the time of this inspection Pardelup and Walpole continued to enjoy high levels of prisoner satisfaction; providing meaningful work, allowing skill development, and positive community engagement. Pardelup and its work camp were progressing well in terms of facilitating prisoners’ re-entry into the community, developing farming and horticultural production, and expanding and improving infrastructure.

Pardelup’s accommodation had been upgraded and expanded, its administration and transitional management facilities improved, and farming, horticultural, and industries infrastructure developed to meet re-entry work and productive needs. It was found to be providing particularly constructive conditions for the re-entry of a larger number of minimum security prisoners. However, the Department was yet to use Pardelup to its full capacity as a re-entry prison.

Because of the large number of foreign national prisoners (including Indonesians) subject to deportation, the cohort that Pardelup had to work with for re-entry purposes was limited. Bearing in mind the impending possible move of Indonesian prisoners to Broome Prison, this Office noted that a greater proportion of Australian prisoners suitable for re-entry into the Australian community would represent better use of this facility.

Although the prison was taking positive steps to increase its numbers of Aboriginal prisoners, Pardelup’s low numbers of Aboriginal prisoners meant that it was missing the opportunity to help reduce Aboriginal (and particularly Noongar) recidivism through constructive activity. Despite this, the prison was working to provide a culturally appropriate custodial environment for those Aboriginal people accommodated there; however, not enough were engaged in external work, thereby missing out on valuable re-entry experience.

The prison was proactively supporting the specific needs of non-English speaking background (including Indonesian) prisoners. Pardelup had developed some strong practices for language support and facilitated social contacts by providing remote phone allowances and Skype. It was also supportive of diverse religious and cultural practice. However, the Department’s prevention of remittance-sending during their period in prison causes undue hardship for the dependents of some prisoners convicted of people smuggling and illegal fishing.

The prison farm’s productivity was developing well, including the orchard, market gardens, and livestock.

Page last updated: April 17, 2014