Recommendation 1

Create a cross-government taskforce to address the systemic problems across the justice system.

Recommendation 2

Finalise the system-wide staffing review and allocate sufficient staffing levels to Hakea that align with its purpose and prisoner population.

Recommendation 3

Consider amending the Prison Officer’s Industrial Agreement 2022 to allow Vocational Support Officers (VSOs) to retain a similar substantive position during their probationary period as a prison officer.

Recommendation 4

Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to improve staff and morale and increase retention.

Recommendation 5

Establish a collaborative joint management-union committee to improve staff and management relations.

Recommendation 6

Ensure essential scheduled and unscheduled emergency management exercises are carried out, irrespective of staffing constraints.

Recommendation 7

The Department must commit adequate resources to ensure the effective and timely operation of the official visits centre in Hakea.

Recommendation 8

Ensure basic human rights and minimum standards for prisoners in custody are met.

Recommendation 9

Complete the planned roll out of body-worn cameras in Hakea and other maximum-security prisons.

Recommendation 10

Commit to major infrastructure upgrades to improve the capacity and services for prisoners.

Recommendation 11

Conduct a thorough analysis of primary and mental health care demand and allocate sufficient resources to meet identified needs.

Recommendation 12

Develop a purpose-built management unit within Hakea, to safely deliver a full range of services and regimes currently managed by Unit 1.

Recommendation 13

Commit to and roll out a digital platform for prisoners to manage their own requests.

Recommendation 14

Maintain equal focus on reducing Individual Management Plans (IMPs) and treatment assessments to ensure prisoners’ needs are identified and addressed before they reach their earliest date of release.

Recommendation 15

Source and establish voluntary programs, and ensure sentenced prisoners have access to mandatory programs, including via remote attendance.

DOJ Response – Inspection of Hakea Prison

Page last updated: April 3, 2025
158: Inspection of Hakea Prison