Union call for speed

WA Prisoner’s Union secretary John Welch has called on the State Government to fast track building of a remand centre in Broome to ensure the facility is built before the closure of Broome Regional Prison.

Mr Welch touched down in Derby last week to visit the new West Kimberley Regional Prison, but also met with Broome Prison staff to discuss what the future held for them.

“We have been talking to our members about the proposed closure of Broome Regional Prison, what it means for them, what it means for their families and the wider Broome community,” he said. “We are taking the opportunity to ensure our members’ voices are heard in the wider community.”

Mr Welch said the union would now focus on the announcement that a new remand facility would be built.

“It’s very important that we get the detail about the new proposal – the who, what, where, when,” he said. “We need to know exactly when the new facility will be built, what size it will be, how many staff will be able to transfer to it.

“It’s very important for our members that they have clarity. Many of them have moved here from other parts of the country or the State. They have put roots down in this community and it’s reasonable for them to be looking into the future with some level of security.”