Privatisation

The Barnett Government allowed private, foreign companies to run WA’s prisons for profit.

The experience around the globe is that when a prison is privatised, jobs are cut, in order to maximise profits for the company and its shareholders.

WA’s prisons are the responsibility of the State.

No one wants to see a repeat of what happened in 2008 when a private company; Global Solution Limited (now G4S), was held responsible for the death of a 46-year-old Aboriginal Elder Mr Ward, who died of heat stress inside a prison van.

Evidence overseas suggests that private companies running prisons will lead to fewer staff, more dangerous prisons, less focus on rehabilitation – and poorer justice outcomes for the entire community.

Respect the Risk is asking the Western Australian Government to not renew the contracts of private prison operators and return the responsibility of running our prisons to the State.