The Justice Department of Western Australia has entered into an $87,000 agreement with architects to investigate the possible transformation of a quarantine facility in Perth into a prison. The Bullsbrook site, known as the Centre for National Resilience, has only been utilized for quarantine purposes once since its establishment and is now being considered as a solution to the increasing overcrowding in the state’s correctional facilities.
The state’s Minister for Corrective Services indicated that the government is evaluating “all potential options” to address the issue. The exploration of converting this COVID-era quarantine center into a prison is moving forward, with the Justice Department hiring architects to assess the feasibility of such a project.
Situated approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Perth’s central business district, the 500-bed facility has remained largely unused since it was completed in 2022. It was only activated for quarantine once, in response to an evacuation of passengers from a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak.
Recently, the department finalized a contract worth $86,955 with the architectural firm Cox Architecture, focusing on the repurposing of the Centre for National Resilience. This contract, which extends until June of the following year, is part of standard procedures for evaluating potential site repurposing. A spokesperson for the department emphasized the ongoing search for solutions to meet the rising demands of the prison population.
Overcrowding in WA’s correctional facilities has reached alarming levels, with reports indicating that some inmates are experiencing “cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.” Eamon Ryan, the Inspector of Custodial Services, attributed this crisis to a 37 percent spike in the prison population since early 2023, without a corresponding increase in capacity or staffing. The surge in numbers has been linked to a temporary decline in prison populations during the COVID pandemic, as well as a rise in charges related to domestic violence.
Shadow Corrective Services Minister Adam Hort criticized the government’s lack of foresight, arguing that the overcrowding situation forces the government to scramble for makeshift solutions while taxpayers bear the financial burden. He expressed concern that the state should not be investing in a facility that was not originally designed as a prison, advocating for the need for well-planned and suitable prison infrastructure.
In response to inquiries about the overcrowding crisis, Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce noted significant efforts underway across the state, including the addition of 480 new beds through an expansion of Acacia Prison, scheduled to be completed by 2029. He also mentioned ongoing plans to create additional capacity at existing facilities and aims for larger infrastructure developments into the years 2030 and 2031, which may include a new remand prison.
Royce remarked that he is constantly seeking opportunities to expand available space within the correctional system. However, he clarified that the Bullsbrook site is currently a Commonwealth asset, and thus not under his direct control. He expressed a willingness to consider the site should it become available for repurposing.
Hort criticized the timing of the government’s initiatives, suggesting that viable solutions have been overlooked for years. He believes there are numerous proposals that could enhance the prison system, yet they have not been implemented.
Minister Tony Buti affirmed that “nothing is off the table” regarding the potential use of the Bullsbrook facility. He assured that any decisions made would be communicated promptly. The site is managed by the federal Department of Finance and has been under consideration by the Australian government for various future uses, including responses to national and state emergencies.
