Most of Western Australia's correctional facilities are in crisis, with an increased level of harm observed across the system, Custodial Services Inspector Eamon Ryan said in a report tabled in parliament on Tuesday.
There was a potentially serious risk to the security, control, safety, care and welfare of prisoners in the Hakea, Melaleuca and Casuarina facilities, he said.
"This is no longer a problem confined to a single facility — it reflects a systemic failure across multiple prisons," Mr Ryan said.
Conditions pose a serious risk to the safety and wellbeing of prisoners and staff, and in some cases may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
"The system is operating beyond its capacity, with overcrowding, workforce pressures and restrictive regimes now embedded as the norm," Mr Ryan said.
WA's adult prisons were operating in a sustained state of unsafe failure, driven by unprecedented population growth - 37 per cent over three years - and chronic workforce instability that had outpaced the system's capacity to respond, the report said.
Widespread overcrowding, including triple-bunking and prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor, has eroded infrastructure resilience to the point the system is unable to safely absorb or respond to major incidents.
Chronic staff shortfalls have triggered routine lockdowns to maintain control, significantly reduced time out of cell, cancelled family contact and limited access to basic services, leading to the routine denial of fundamental entitlements, the report said.
Hakea, Casuarina and Melaleuca prisons account for a disproportionately high share of use of force incidents, assaults and fatal self-harm events.
"The environments in each of these prisons materially increase the risk of serious harm and death in custody," the report said.
"There are strong parallels with warning signs present prior to the 2018 Greenough Regional Prison riot."
The Greenough riot in July 2018 led to the escape of 10 inmates and caused millions of dollars in damage.
The inspector called on the government to formally commit to and fund the system-level reforms required to address the concerns identified at the prisons.
Mr Ryan also issued a show-cause notice, initially to the WA Justice Department, and then the Minister for Corrective Services, following the department's response.
It's not the first time concerning conditions have been found in a WA prison.
In May 2024, conditions in Hakea were found to have deteriorated to the point where it was suspected that prisoners were being held in conditions that were cruel, inhuman or degrading.
A show-cause notice was issued. Follow-up reports in 2025 also highlighted problems at the facility.
The department said it was addressing the problems at the three prisons as part of system-wide reforms.
These included "operational, workforce and infrastructure measures" to manage the growing prisoner population, capacity constraints and staffing challenges.
"These measures are supporting more stable operations and reducing reliance on restrictive routines across parts of the estate, with Hakea particularly benefiting," Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said.
Strengthened governance, targeted interventions, and sustained investment in staff and infrastructure were making Hakea, Casuarina and Melaleuca safer and more resilient, he said.
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