Casuarina Prison
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. The prison was the scene of a riot on Christmas Day 1998. 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.
In 2013 the prison was the setting for the film Son of a Gun.
The prison has been subject of multiple legal actions due to alleged "inhumane conditions". In 2022, seventeen teenagers were relocated to the maximum security prison prompting a class action. The Department of Justice has defended its actions, while victim advocates have raised concerns around the law firm representing the youth.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has raised concerns about the issue of teenagers being held at the prison, prompting calls for further action.
Notable prisoners
- Jack Roche
- Dante Arthurs
- David Birnie (1951–2005)
- Robert Bropho (1930–2011)
- Terence Kelly, Kidnapper of Cleo Smith
- Bradley Edwards Claremont Serial Killer
References
- ^ "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.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Government action needed to protect children in detention". humanrights.gov.au. 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.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ 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.