A violent incident at Perth's Hakea Prison on Christmas Eve has left two correctional officers injured, casting a harsh spotlight on the facility's severe overcrowding crisis and raising urgent questions about staff safety.
Violent Outbreak in a Strained System
The assault occurred on the evening of December 24, 2024, within the maximum-security prison's remand wing. According to the WA Prison Officers Union (WAPOU), two officers were attacked by an inmate. One officer sustained a head injury and was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital for treatment. The second officer also received injuries during the altercation.
This incident unfolded against a backdrop of extreme pressure within the state's correctional system. Hakea Prison, designed to hold approximately 1,100 inmates, was reportedly housing nearly 1,700 prisoners at the time of the attack. This represents an overcrowding level of more than 50 per cent, a situation described by union officials as a ticking time bomb for violence.
A Crisis of Capacity and Safety
WAPOU Secretary Andy Smith did not mince words in his response to the Christmas Eve assault. He directly linked the violent event to the chronic overcrowding plaguing the facility. "This is a direct result of overcrowding," Smith stated, emphasising that the remand wing, where new and often volatile inmates are held, is at the epicentre of the crisis.
The union has repeatedly warned the state government about the dangers posed by such conditions. Smith highlighted that the system is stretched so thin that it compromises the ability to manage inmates effectively and safely segregate those with behavioural problems. The overcrowding not only increases tension among the prisoner population but also places immense strain on frontline staff, who are working in an increasingly volatile environment.
Government Response and Systemic Pressure
In the wake of the assault, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice confirmed that an internal investigation is underway. The spokesperson noted that the injured staff members are receiving support and that the department is working with WA Police on the matter. The inmate allegedly involved in the incident has been placed in segregation.
However, this incident is not isolated. It underscores a broader systemic failure in Western Australia's prison capacity planning. The state's prisoner population has surged in recent years, outpacing the availability of beds. While the government has announced plans for new prison facilities, including the expansion of Casuarina Prison, these are long-term solutions that do little to address the immediate, critical danger at Hakea.
The Christmas Eve assault has reignited calls for immediate action. The union is demanding urgent measures to reduce the inmate population at Hakea and improve staff-to-inmate ratios to restore a basic level of safety. Until the root cause of overcrowding is addressed, both staff and inmates remain at heightened risk.
This violent episode serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of policy inaction. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the recovery of the injured officers and the pressing need for a sustainable solution to WA's prison overcrowding emergency.
