OICS inspected the maximum-security prison last year and found that new senior leadership as well as locally run training schools for prison officer recruits were positive developments.
The report noted Albany’s efforts to bolster engagement levels in education, industries, training and recreation as the prison’s new leadership “generated renewed enthusiasm and focus on getting prisoners out of their units to participate in activities like employment and recreation”.
Aboriginal men represented 60 per cent of Albany prisoner students taking part in education classes, with the strong engagement underpinned by a “very positive” team of education staff and tutors.
“Reducing educational gaps is one of the key building blocks in addressing disadvantage for Aboriginal prisoners and creating opportunities for rehabilitation,” the OICS report said.
A cohort of mainly Indigenous Albany prisoners involved in studies also had about 30 of their paintings exhibited at a community arts centre in Albany late last year.
Department Director General Kylie Maj said art played a part in the rehabilitation and education of Aboriginal people in the Department’s care while helping them stay connected to Culture and Country.
“We were very grateful to the City of Albany for enabling us to share the Great Southern artworks with the public,” she said. “It’s also a credit to the support of our Albany staff and peer support prisoners.”
Ms Maj said the Department acknowledged and remained committed to addressing the custodial and non-custodial staffing, infrastructure, resourcing and other issues raised in the OICS report.
“There are system-wide strategies and planning in train to increase the workforce across the State’s custodial estate and identify and respond to long-term infrastructure requirements including for Albany,” she said.
As part of the Correctives Services’ broader prison estate-wide recruitment drive, Albany recruited six new Vocational Support Officers last year.
The appointments will further enhance the operation of the facility’s industry workshops and increase prisoner employment and training opportunities.
Two Albany-based training schools in 2024 resulted in 32 probationary officers being deployed to Albany with another local training school scheduled in February 2025.
Acting Corrective Services Commissioner Rick Curtis said the graduates would work in a dedicated team at Albany alongside experienced officers, health specialists, educators and vocational staff.
“Recruitment and retention of experienced staff were high priorities to keep everyone safe and secure in the prison and the local community,” Acting Commissioner Curtis added.
“We are striving to modernise staffing models for both custodial and non-custodial staff at Albany and across the entire prison system,” he said.
“This will help us provide improved programs and services, maintain the safety and security of our operations and anticipate current and future demands for managing the WA custodial population.”
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