ROEBOURNE REGIONAL PRISON — CONDITIONS

The 2019 Inspection of Roebourne Regional Prison acknowledges the improvement made at Roebourne since its last inspection in 2016 and credits much of this to the stable management team and staff. In particular, it is noted that:

• Prisoner’s opinion of food quality and quantity had improved dramatically since the last report with 54% rating the quality as good and 49% rated the quantity as good. This puts Roebourne slightly ahead of the state average for quality and equal for quantity.
• Each prisoner is issued 4 complete sets of clothing including shorts, shirts, recreation singlets and underwear. These items are laundered in an industrial laundry each week day and bedding is mandatorily collected and washed once per week. Pillows and Mattresses are replaced on a six monthly basis.
• All prisoners at Roebourne are entitled to send unlimited written letters for free and an additional seven prisoner telephones have been installed.
• Overall there are 16 prisoner telephones located throughout the prison. Skype visits have been available since April 2020 and offered through a booking system daily.
• In the previous 11 years there have been no incidents of a snake being discovered or reported in a cell. Staff are trained snake catchers, as wildlife, including snakes, are evident throughout the Pilbara region. Reptiles are no more prevalent in the prison as they are in any other residence in this area.

Nelson Mandela Rule 13 – All accommodation provided for the use of prisoners and in particular all sleeping accommodation shall meet all requirements of health, due regard being paid to climatic conditions and particularly to cubic content of air, minimum floor space, lighting, heating and ventilation.

All cells contain floor to ceiling windows to maximise natural air flow, high insulated ceilings, ceiling fans, inner and outer verandas to limit sun and allow airflow. Multi cells are dormitory styled large cells.

Nelson Mandela Rule 19 –

1. Every prisoner who is not allowed to wear his or her own clothing shall be provided with an outfit of clothing suitable for the climate and adequate to keep him or her in good health. Such clothing shall in no manner be degrading or humiliating.

2. All clothing shall be clean and kept in proper condition. Underclothing shall be changed and washed as often as necessary for the maintenance of hygiene.

3. In exceptional circumstances, whenever a prisoner is removed outside the prison for an authorized purpose, he or she shall be allowed to wear his or her own clothing or other inconspicuous clothing.

Each prisoner is issued 4 complete sets of clothing including shorts, shirts, recreation singlets and underwear. They are able to have these items laundered in an industrial laundry Monday – Friday. Bedding is mandatorily collected and washed once per week. Pillow and Mattresses are replaced on a 6 monthly basis.

Nelson Mandela Rule 35 – 1. The physician or competent public health body shall regularly inspect and advise the prison director on:

(a) The quantity, quality, preparation and service of food;

(b) The hygiene and cleanliness of the institution and the prisoners;

(c) The sanitation, temperature, lighting and ventilation of the prison;

(d) The suitability and cleanliness of the prisoners’ clothing and bedding;

(e) The observance of the rules concerning physical education and sports, in cases where there is no technical personnel in charge of these activities.

In WA, The Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services, preforms structured, regular reviews to ensure the wellbeing of prisoners in the state custodial services.

Nelson Mandela Rule 42 – General living conditions addressed in these rules, including those related to light, ventilation, temperature, sanitation, nutrition, drinking water, access to open air and physical exercise, personal hygiene, health care and adequate personal space, shall apply to all prisoners without exception.

Prisoners have access to renovated dayrooms that include, fridges, freezers, chilled water fountains. Industrial ice machines are installed throughout the prison.

Nelson Mandela Rule 58 1 (a) – Prisoners shall be allowed, under necessary supervision, to communicate with their family and friends at regular intervals:

(a) By corresponding in writing and using, where available, telecommunication, electronic, digital and other means;

All prisoners at Roebourne are entitled to send unlimited written letters for free.

An additional 7 Prisoner telephones (PTS) have been installed. There are 16 PTS located throughout the prison. Skype visits have been installed since April and offered through a booking system daily.