Bunbury Regional Prison staff felt unsafe and unsupported using reporting avenues available to them: report

Bunbury Regional Prison staff did not feel safe using its behaviour complaint processes, a review by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services has found. The review, completed in 2023 and tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, said there were “cracks” beginning to form at the facility due to staff numbers and infrastructure not keeping up with the booming number of prisoners and services needed. It found these issues stemmed from the Custodial Services department viewing it as a place to take on new challenges without appropriate adjustments being made. Tensions about staffing levels, morale, management practices, and the handling of allegations of inappropriate staff behaviour were all contributing to increased pressure on operations, the report said. Inspector of Custodial Services Eamon Ryan said staff would not be able to keep up with that workload for much longer. “Management and staff have a record of just getting on with the job and making things work,” he said. “But this is becoming more untenable without greater system-level support. “Bunbury is the largest regional prison in Western Australia and the fourth largest in the State. Better support is needed to ensure its continued success.” While processes for staff complaints were in place and accessible, it was noted that some prison management and staff did not all feel safe or supported accessing them. Mr Ryan said his office had heard several complaints regarding staff conflicts, support services, and how such matters were dealt with. “We heard allegations and concerns about conflicts between some staff, and also about how these matters were handled, and the level of communication and support people had received,” he said. “Our office is not permitted under our legislation to investigate and determine the merits or otherwise of complaints. “What we can consider is if there were appropriate mechanisms available for staff to raise grievances or allegations and have them resolved; if there were escalation processes; and if there were external mechanisms available to pursue complaints. “Our final obligation would be to refer matters to external investigation agencies, if and when required.” The release of the report follows a string of controversies surrounding the prison, which have come to light over the past year. In November, a former guard took the Department of Justice to court over alleged sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, and disability discrimination faced at the site. Prison staff were barred from commissioning and then selling items like chairs made in the prison workshop by inmates following questioning by the West Australian in February. The South Western Times also revealed in March a shocking “hurt feelings report” designed to mock and demean reporters of sexual harassment or bullying being sent to a staff member in 2022. More recently, the prison was hit by a freak tornado in May which ripped through Bunbury, destroying two low-security buildings on the outskirts of the facility. Despite the staffing pressures on the organisation, the report noted service outcomes to prisoners were largely positive. This included high levels of treatment program delivery, thorough management of at-risk prisoners, and high-performing re-entry and transition services. One such recent project was the Djarraly AOD Registration Service which was described as commendable and important but one which absorbed time and effort from staff with little additional support. Department of Justice commissioner for Corrective Services Brad Royce said the prison was focused on the care of its prisoners. “The leadership group and custodial and non-custodial workforce at Bunbury are committed to the care of prisoners, and their rehabilitation and the safety of the community are priorities,” he said. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to questions put to it over the findings of staff and infrastructure pressures, tensions among workers, or reporting processes.