Quarantine centre conversion to prison to be investigated
The Western Australian government is exploring the possibility of converting a COVID-era quarantine centre into a prison to address the state's overcrowding crisis. Architects have been engaged to investigate the feasibility of repurposing the 500-bed facility in Bullsbrook.
A proposal to convert Western Australia's COVID-era quarantine centre into a prison has taken a step forward, with the Justice Department engaging architects to explore the feasibility of repurposing the facility.
The 500-bed 'Centre for National Resilience' in Bullsbrook, about 40 kilometres north-east of Perth's CBD, has been largely dormant since its completion in 2022. Earlier this year, it was revealed the Justice Department was considering the site for a prison to alleviate pressure on the state's overcrowded jails.
Overcrowding in WA's jails
The state's prisons have been experiencing severe overcrowding, with a report from the Inspector of Custodial Services in June highlighting that some prisoners were being subjected to