Casuarina Prison is the main maximum-security prison for Western Australia, located in the Perth, Western Australia suburb of Casuarina. The prison accommodates minimum-, medium- and maximum-security prisoners. It was opened in 1991 to replace Fremantle Prison, which was 130 years old.[1] The prison was the scene of a riot on Christmas Day 1998.[1] The prison featured in the documentary Australia's Hardest Prison: Lockdown Oz on the National Geographic channel in 2008, following the lives of prisoners and officers.[1]
 | |
| Location | Casuarina, Western Australia, 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Perth |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°14′23″S 115°52′41″E / 32.23972°S 115.87806°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Minimum to maximum (Male) |
| Capacity | 1200 |
| Opened | June 1991 |
| Managed by | Department of Justice, Western Australia |
In 2013 the prison was the setting for the film Son of a Gun.[citation needed]
The prison has been subject of multiple legal actions due to alleged "inhumane conditions".[2] In 2022, seventeen teenagers were relocated to the maximum security prison prompting a class action.[3] The Department of Justice has defended its actions,[4] while victim advocates have raised concerns around the law firm representing the youth.[5]
The Australian Human Rights Commission has raised concerns about the issue of teenagers being held at the prison,[6] prompting calls for further action.[7]
Notable prisoners
edit- Jack Roche[8]
- Dante Arthurs[9]
- David Birnie (1951–2005)[10]
- Robert Bropho (1930–2011)[11]
- Terence Kelly, Kidnapper of Cleo Smith[12]
- Bradley Edwards Claremont Serial Killer
References
edit- ^ a b c "National Geographic films Casuarina Prison". NewsComAu. News Limited. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- ^ "'Cruel and inhumane': Prisoners locked up in special unit of WA jail say it amounts to illegal confinement". ABC News. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Seventeen Banksia Hill juvenile inmates moved to Casuarina Prison". ABC News. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Ramsey, Michael (6 October 2022). "WA youth prison could face more lockdowns despite class action plans". WAtoday. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Open letter re Banksia Hill teenagers". Levitt Robinson Classless Actions. 9 August 2022. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Government action needed to protect children in detention". humanrights.gov.au. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Disadvantaged Youth". Levitt Robinson Classless Actions. 27 July 2022. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Hayward, Andrea (17 May 2007). "Freed Roche: 'I'll stay clean'". The Sunday Times. Western Australia. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ "Accused child killer to undergo more psych testing". ABC News. Australia. 1 December 2006. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ "Coroner told Birnie depressed in days before suicide". ABC News. Australia. 18 December 2007. Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ "Delay in officially informing Bropho's family of his death". ABC News. Australia. 25 October 2011.
- ^ "Cleo Smith found: Accused kidnapper Terence Kelly arrives at Casuarina Prison". perthnow.com.au. Perth. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.