Media Releases
Problems at Hakea Prison foreseeable and avoidable
The WA Prison Officers’ Union said a damning report on Hakea prison by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services has highlighted a number of foreseeable and preventable issues.The report into WA’s remand prison ... Read More
Prison Officers’ Union disappointed over government decision
The WA Prison Officers’ Union said it was very disappointed the State Government had named a private provider as the preferred operator for WA’s new Women’s Remand and Reintegration Facility at Hakea prison.The ... Read More
Government denials on staff shortage cost the public $700,000
The WA Prison Officers’ Union has welcomed the Corrective Services Commissioner’s commitment to employing more staff in WA’s overcrowded prison system.Commissioner James McMahon confirmed in budget estimates hearings ... Read More
Concern as prison population hits 6,000 for the first time
The WA Prison Officers’ Union is concerned for its members’ safety, after the state’s prison population exceeded 6,000 for the first time.The prison system is designed to hold around 4,200 prisoners, and the State ... Read More
Prison Officer lucky to escape with minor injuries after serious attack at Albany Regional Prison
A Prison Officer was lucky to escape with minor injuries after a serious attack by a prisoner at Albany Regional Prison.The Prison Officer was in the kitchen yesterday (Thursday) when the prisoner sneaked into the area, ... Read More
Union concerned about Serco savings to meet new contract
The WA Prison Officers’ Union is concerned about what measures contractor Serco will take to make up for the $33 million dollar reduction in its contract to manage Acacia prison.The State Government has today announced ... Read More
Federal report confirms WA locking up women faster than any other state in the country
The latest federal Report on Government Services has revealed that Western Australia has the highest rate of female imprisonment of all the States (bar the Northern Territory).The Productivity Commission’s report reveals ... Read More
Bandyup Women's Prison reaches crisis point
The WA Prison Officers’ Union has warned that Bandyup women’s prison is at crisis point, after overcrowding reached a new record high.The prison population was at more than 355 this week, in a prison designed to house ... Read More
Union calls on Minister to intervene in pay dispute
The WA Prison Officers’ Union has called on the Corrective Services Minister to intervene in its pay dispute with Serco at the Wandoo Reintegration Facility.WAPOU and the CPSU/CSA have been negotiating with Serco for about ... Read More
Concerns about hiring freeze impact on prison system
The WA Prison Officers’ Union said the State Government’s decision to impose a hiring freeze in the public service could have serious consequences for the state’s prison system.As part of its Mid-year Review, the ... Read More
Wandoo staff ramp up industrial action over pay negotiations
Staff at the Wandoo Reintegration Facility are taking further protected industrial action after failing to reach a pay deal with their employer Serco.Staff will walk off the job for four hours from 8am on Monday, which will ... Read More
Delays to women's prison units to add to overcrowding woes
The WA Prison Officers’ Union is very concerned that a delay in building women’s units at the male Hakea prison is going to add pressure to WA’s already overcrowded women’s prison.The State Government originally ... Read More
Wandoo staff take industrial action after pay negotiations stall
Staff at the Wandoo Reintegration Facility in Murdoch will take industrial action this morning, after Enterprise Agreement negotiations with employer Serco stalled.An overwhelming majority of staff voted to take an ... Read More
Staff at Wandoo vote to take industrial action over EA
Staff at the Wandoo Reintegration Facility have voted to take industrial action after Enterprise Agreement negotiations with employer Serco stalled.An overwhelming majority of staff have voted to take an escalating range of ... Read More
Union urges government not to accept ERA recommendations
The WA Prison Officers’ Union has urged the State Government to reject the recommendations of the Economic Regulation Authority report into the efficiency of the WA prison system.One of the report’s main recommendations ... Read More