Greenough Prison Report

Today’s report into the Greenough Prison riots paints a picture of budget cuts, chronic understaffing and limited inmate access to rehabilitation.

Inadequate staffing means adaptive measures such as using vocational support officers as guards and rolling lock-downs, created a volatile and stressed environment for inmates.

CPSU/CSA Secretary Rikki Hendon says the report is clear; budget cuts directly impacted the safety and security of staff, inmates and the community.

“A stable prison requires more than physical security, it requires engagement of the people within it and active rehabilitation through access to programs, psychological services and education.

“The report tells us that inmate access to educational activities and rehabilitation programs at Greenough was extremely low.

“This is due, in no small part, to years of budget cuts under successive state governments.

“This is the wakeup call the government needs to properly fund our corrective services system and truly invest in rehabilitation programs that help change offending behaviour,” she said.