Dangerous conditions

The temperatures we recorded at Roebourne were not simply uncomfortable; they demonstrated a significant threat to prisoner health. The non-air-conditioned cells rarely recorded temperatures below 30°C and attained temperatures close to 40°C. The average night-time temperature in non-air-conditioned cells at Roebourne was 33°C, with temperatures consistently exceeding 35°C in the few hours prior to midnight, a time when prisoners would be attempting to sleep.

Prisoner transport vehicles elicit an alarm when temperatures exceed 33°C, but there is no such monitoring or alarm for the prisoners at Roebourne who are unremittingly exposed to such conditions during the warmer months. Our inspection reports have also noted that even simple mitigation measures (such as allowing prisoners to eat their meals and spend more time in air-conditioned areas such as the dining room in the hottest months) have not been actioned.

Summarised cell temperature data at Roebourne Regional Prison

Concerning temperatures were also recorded at Karnet Prison Farm in the summer. While average temperatures did not reach the extremes of Roebourne, considerable temperature differences were observed between brick constructed cells and the prefabricated transportable ‘donga’ accommodation. In the middle of the day the donga cells were up to 6°C hotter than brick constructed cells, attaining maximum temperatures close to 39°C. While dongas have been used by the Department as a quick and cost-effective solution to the expanding prisoner population, these results demonstrated that they are ineffective at mitigating temperatures.

Summarised cell temperature data at Karnet Prison Farm