two cartoon people escaping a cage

Background

At some point almost every prisoner is released back into the community. A well-functioning corrections system prepares prisoners for their release and helps reduce the likelihood they will reoffend. This is balanced against managing the risk of escape and other potential management problems. For some people in prison this means strict supervision under maximum security …

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Man leaping razor wire

Conclusion

The low number of escapes (70) and attempted escapes (38) from January 2008 to August 2014 indicates that the Department has generally been very successful in managing risk. In particular, there have been very few escapes from truly ‘secure’ places such as maximum or medium security prisons, secure prisoner transport services or courts. The majority …

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Chain with link breaking

Key Findings

Escapes and attempted escapes from custody are rare in Western Australia. From January 2008 to August 2014, there were only 70 such escapes despite an average daily prison population of around 5000 people. (Read more) Most escapes are opportunistic, involving little planning or prior consideration. (Read more) There have been very few escapes from maximum …

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Image of man writing short term,, long term and contingency plan on blackboard

Recommendations

1          The Department and its contractors enhance the focus on dynamic security 2          The Department implement initiatives to support the objectives of the Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025, including improved mental health services and dedicated, appropriately staffed mental health units in prisons. 3          The Department ensure unnecessary escape alerts …

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