Labor Ignores Prison Crisis While Pouring $217.5 Million Into a Racetrack

The Cook Labor Government is putting community safety at risk while spending $217.5 million on a racetrack, as a new report confirms WA’s prison system is in crisis.

A follow-up inspection of Hakea Prison by the independent Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services has confirmed WA’s largest remand facility remains overcrowded, unsafe, and operating in conditions that breach basic human rights.

“Labor is spending $217.5 million on a racetrack while WA’s prisons are bursting at the seams,” Leader of the Opposition Basil Zempilas said.

“We know overcrowded prisons means we will see more riots, just like we saw at West Kimberley Regional Prison on the weekend. These riots put our prison officers are risk, and the taxpayer ends up having to pay the bill to repair the damage.”

Shadow Corrective Services Minister Adam Hort said Minister Papalia was formally warned last year through a show cause notice, and in this latest report that urgent, system-level intervention was required, yet little has happened.

“The Inspector has advised the Minister that the problems at Hakea are so significant that a system-level intervention is required,” Mr Hort said.

“More than a year since the show cause notice, it’s clear nothing has changed, and the Minister is directly responsible.”

“Despite all the spin, the Inspector has confirmed Hakea continues to operate in a state of crisis. That’s not my view, that’s the independent finding of the Government’s own inspector.”

Mr Hort said the report revealed close to 100 prisoners sleeping on the floor next to toilets, widespread lockdowns, and officers stretched beyond safe limits. Prisoners are routinely denied clean clothes, fresh air and a daily shower.

The findings follow full-scale riots at Derby over the weekend and reports of an alleged attempted hostage situation at Greenough earlier this month, both driven by overcrowding, lockdowns, and staff shortages.

Thirteen facilities across WA are now full or near capacity. The prison population has hit a record 8,545.

“When the Department can’t even meet the most basic standards of hygiene and dignity, it’s not a system in need of reform, it’s a system in collapse,” Mr Hort said.

“There is no spare infrastructure, no extra beds and no plan. This is no longer isolated. It’s a statewide crisis, and it’s happening on the Minister’s watch.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Hayden Tognela – 0467 044 028