Roebourne Regional Prison (Roebourne) serves as the primary facility for receiving men and women from the Pilbara region who are on remand, sentenced, or returned to custody. Over 80% of the prisoner population are First Nations people. While Roebourne is classified as a medium and minimum-security prison, it can temporarily accommodate maximum-security prisoners. The site also includes a work camp, offering a progression pathway for trusted prisoners who have attained minimum-security status.

Located more than 1,500 kilometres north of Perth, Roebourne opened in 1984. Since then, we have conducted nine inspections. Our ninth inspection, in March 2022, was notably impacted by extreme heat, with daily temperatures exceeding 40°C. Earlier that year, in January, media reported a record high of 50.5°C in Roebourne. This prompted concern from community about the conditions faced by prisoners, an issue OICS had consistently raised since the first inspection in 2003.

Between September 2024 – July 2025, air-conditioning was installed in Units 1 and 2. Over that period, the prison population was reduced with one unit at a time closed while installation works were undertaken. With works now complete, the prison has now returned to full capacity.

Our 10th announced inspection of Roebourne is scheduled for November 2025.

Click here to read our previous inspection report of Roebourne