- Review orientation processes for both male and female prisoners to ensure that orientation is consistent, comprehensive and effective.
- Conclude the audit and remediation of substandard bunk beds at Roebourne Regional Prison without further delay.
- Renovate cells including replacement of warped shutters, cell doors, shelving, noticeboards and linoleum where required, and repaint all surfaces and provide underbed storage.
- Install suitable climatic controls to reduce air temperatures and to increase cool air circulation in prisoners’ cells at Roebourne Regional Prison.
- Provide other measures to help mitigate the impact of the harsh climate, including provision of air-conditioned indoor spaces for prisoners at work (as appropriate), education and in their units.
- Consider means to revitalise and sustain an effective Aboriginal Visitor Scheme at Roebourne Regional Prison.
- Develop a recreation development plan for RRP giving consideration to promotion of fitness and healthy lifestyles involving all prisoner cohorts; training and employment opportunities for prisoners; creating an indoor recreation facility; enhancing in-unit fitness and recreation options; cultural participation and development, including dedicated spaces for art and music; access to the library including electronic resources; and community links.
- Allow women prisoners to attend religious services.
- Simplify rules and procedures relating to the receipt and use of money by prisoners from outside sources and remove barriers and disincentives for prisoners wishing to save.
- Improve facilities, activities and services for women held at Roebourne Regional Prison, and provide supervised opportunities to associate with male family and friends.
- A properly resourced women’s precinct should be re-established at Roebourne Regional Prison. This should include a full-time Women’s Support Officer and a restoration of traditional freedoms of association, movement and participation in recreation, education and training.
- Expand the health centre and create a decent waiting area for prisoners.
- Increase the provision of general practice at the Roebourne Regional Prison Health Centre.
- Review the health and mental health screening processes at Roebourne Regional Prison, and if necessary across the State.
- Develop a health care strategy for Roebourne Regional Prison to guide the development of health care services, inclusive of a particular focus on Aboriginal health, women’s health, screening practices, care practices, team portfolios, in-reach services, mental health care, health promotion and throughcare practices.
- Provide mental health care training for nursing staff at Roebourne Regional Prison Health Centre, and mental health first aid training to custodial staff and others working with prisoners.
- Establish a dental facility at Roebourne Regional Prison Health Centre.
- Explore engagement of an external provider to allow in-reach drug and alcohol services prior to release, and to permit seamless re-entry services to those with substance misuse disorders transitioning into the community.
- Dedicate additional resources for prisoner assessment and report writing.
- A strategy for increased prisoner engagement in employment, education, training and community work should be developed.
- Staffing for industry, vocational training and external work should be fully restored, quarantined as far as practical from cross deployment to other duties and adequate relief arrangements established.
- Establish a staffing policy for education and vocational training at Roebourne Regional Prison that acknowledges the special difficulties of maintaining such a service in such an environment, reduces its exposure to vacancy management, has appropriate measures aimed at staff retention and includes an Indigenous recruitment and development component.
- Restore employment services to prisoners at Roebourne Regional Prison.
- The reasons for poor recidivism outcomes at RRP should be reviewed, with input from relevant stakeholders. A rehabilitation strategy for Roebourne Regional Prison should be developed.
- DCS should develop a stronger negotiating stance with GROH to make savings within the rental budget.
- Develop a Pilbara Custodial Plan in consultation with relevant community organisations and stakeholders. As part of this plan, give consideration to establishing a new facility in the Port Hedland region, constructing a replacement prison at Roebourne and an appropriate facility for women.
- Implement effective HR strategies to reduce bullying, improve performance, minimise vacancies and manage absences.
- Consider capital works investments to reduce the long term costs of utilities.
- Consider additional staff resources for security and prosecutions.
- Develop and implement strategies for the safe removal of prisoners from upper bunks and from razor wire.
Read DCS Responses to Recommendations