11 PRISONERS CRAMMED INTO CELLS AT ROEBOURNE

Media Release | 13 August 2026

Adam Hort MLA
Shadow Minister for Police; Corrective Services; Youth
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A damning new report from the independent Inspector of Custodial Services has revealed up to 11 prisoners were crammed into a cell designed for six at Roebourne Regional Prison, as severe overcrowding and staff shortages put prison officers and community safety at risk.

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Despite the extraordinary findings, the Cook Labor Government attempted to describe as evidence of “progress in living conditions and rehabilitation.”

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Shadow Minister for Corrective Services Adam Hort said no amount of Government spin could disguise the seriousness of the situation.

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“Eleven prisoners crammed into a cell designed for six is not progress, it is evidence of a prison system under enormous strain,” he said.

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“What happens inside our prisons matters to every West Australian because when prisons fail, the consequences do not stay behind the prison walls."

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“We are already seeing poor prison conditions taken into account in sentencing, while overcrowding and staff shortages make prisons more dangerous for the officers working inside them."

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“And every rehabilitation program that cannot be delivered means a greater risk of reoffending and another potential victim in the community.  Unsafe prisons ultimately mean less safe communities.”

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The Inspector found Roebourne’s population had grown to 206 prisoners despite an official capacity of just 187, while 30 per cent or more of the custodial workforce was likely to be unavailable on any given day.

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Mr Hort said newly appointed Corrective Services Minister Tony Buti had inherited an absolute mess but was now responsible for fixing it. “This cannot become yet another damning report that Labor acknowledges, files away and forgets,” he said.

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“Minister Buti must urgently get overcrowding and staffing under control, because every day this crisis continues our officers are put at greater risk and the wider community is made less safe.” “His responsibility is clear: keep dangerous offenders securely behind bars, protect prison officers and ensure prisoners have access to rehabilitation that reduces the risk of creating more victims when they return to the community.”

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Media contact: Hayden Tognela – 0467 044 028