Inspector of custodial services Eamon Ryan finds improvement at ‘understaffed’ Bandyup Women’s Prison

WA’s biggest women’s prison has seen “very positive” improvements in its care of inmates despite struggling with “chronic staffing shortages”, the independent watchdog has found. Inspector of custodial services Eamon Ryan praised maximum security Bandyup Women’s Prison for creating a women-centred model of care including the establishment of Bindi Bindi mental health unit. The 29-bed unit, which carries the Noongar word for butterfly, provides specialist rehabilitation care. But in his office’s report published on Wednesday, Mr Ryan said the prison, which has a capacity of more than 300 inmates, continued to struggle with “the recruitment and retention of specialist clinical staff”. The inspector told The West that while the prison was fully staffed there were often shortfalls due to employees taking leave and being on workers compensation. Mr Ryan said others were being seconded to train up and coming officers. “There’s a bit of short term pain for long term gain,” he said. The inspector said education and employment programs, as well as recreation time, were often cancelled due to these shortages. The report also identified the need for more infrastructure upgrades. “Aside from the completion of the much-needed Bindi Bindi unit, there has been limited improvement to infrastructure in recent years,” Mr Ryan said. “Staff and service providers continue to compete for space, the visits centre for women to reconnect with children and family is poor, accommodation areas are crowded, and the education centre limits participation,” it said. “The lack of investment at Bandyup is not supportive of the prison’s goals to be able to provide a more comprehensive women-focused service.” The inspector praised the prison for implementing programs including through Relationships WA that supported Aboriginal prisoners and inmates who had suffered domestic violence. “They’re bringing in local (charities), community groups and elders to build those local connections,” he said. Other improvements included how staff addressed women’s behaviour by taking into account inmate’s mental health and the introduction of whole of family visits days. Mr Ryan said his inspection was conducted in September 2023 and the next inspection was due in 2026. The inspector said he was confident the improvements identified had continued to progress 16 months later. Justice Department director-general Kylie Maj said the prison was focused on providing gender-specific, culturally sensitive and trauma-informed services. “Bandyup is on the front line of implementing the therapeutic model of care that strives to improve women’s health and safety and help them to re-enter the community with better vocational prospects and a brighter future,” she said. Ms Maj highlighted Mr Ryan’s noted improvements in Bandyup’s healthcare delivery, employment and training opportunities and supports for pregnant prisons and mothers with newborns.