Women at Greenough Regional Prison will be transferred to other prisons and Greenough’s women’s precinct used to house male prisoners.
When the unit is vacated, the Department will stage relocations to Greenough of both sentenced and remand prisoners from across the men’s estate.
The measure is being taken to manage populations, particularly in the metropolitan men’s prisons, during a seasonal rise in prisoner numbers.
“This is a necessary measure to safely accommodate the State’s prisoner population while maintaining the good order and security of our custodial facilities,” Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said.
“Moving prisoners between facilities is business as usual for the Department. Relocating the women prisoners from Greenough frees up some space ahead of refurbished units coming online across the men’s estate,” Commissioner Royce said.
The Greenough women prisoners will be relocated to metropolitan and regional prisons in the women’s custodial estate. Some capacity will be retained at Greenough for women received from court, for visits and for release.
The women’s precinct at Greenough has capacity for 77 prisoners. There were 27 women housed there as of 21 February.
Supports will be provided for the women prisoners moved out of Greenough, including short-term transfers back to the prison to receive family visits.
“The placement of women prisoners relocated from Greenough will be carefully managed in consideration of their welfare and cultural needs,” Commissioner Royce said. “They’ll continue to have access to programs and services at their new facilities.
“We will be giving support and additional resources to Corrective Services staff at all sites to ensure the relocations of female and male prisoners are a success,” he said.
