FAMILIES and supporters of Hakea Prison inmates say the Cook government could have avoided last weekend’s “mini riot” if it had listened to their concerns.
Six inmates broke out of their cells on March 29 and went on a rampage, causing an entire wing to be closed down.
Supporters held a rally at Parliament House in February complaining about the conditions their loved ones were forced to endure, but say they were ignored.
Rally organiser Jessica Graham says prisoners “don’t have ventilation” in lockdowns, which can last up to two weeks.
“It’s hard enough for us to keep cool, imagine them being cooked inside out,” Ms Graham said.
“Visits are being cancelled [due to lack of staff]…people don’t realise how much this is taken for granted.
“I can’t imagine how much it would be affecting them mentally.”
Ms Graham said despite countless emails to Hakea and corrective services minister Paul Papalia, the group doesn’t feel heard and isn’t surprised some of the inmates acted out.
Mr Papalia’s said he “understands the concerns” of the protestors and “endeavours to respond to all letters in a timely fashion”.
WA Prison Officers Union secretary Andy Smith agrees with the families that the incident was “foreseeable and predictable” due to overcrowding, which would be worse now there was “20 to 30 less beds”.
Designed for 600 inmates, there has been up to 1300 prisoners at one time in Hakea this year.
The justice department said it was “committed to improving conditions and outcomes across WA’s custodial estate.
“Corrective Services commissioner Brad Royce has established a taskforce in response to the issues,” a department spokesperson said.
The Department also said it had received $3.7 million for a “staged expansion of health services” at Hakea.
But it denies the incident was a riot, claiming it was a “disturbance”.
Inspector of Custodial Services Eamon Ryan had such concerns for Hakea that in May last year he issued a notice.
Mr Ryan’s notice found:
Inmates were treated in an “inhumane” way;
They were forced to share cells which were intended to hold just one person;
They often had to sleep on mattresses on the floor;
There was limited access to fresh air and exercise and conditions were unhygienic.
Rally organisers are planning another protest in the near future.
by CARLA LANE