An alcohol and other drug treatment prison for male offenders will be established at Casuarina Prison to help break the cycle of drug-related crime.
The treatment prison will be housed at one of four new units to be built at Casuarina Prison, as part of the State Government’s $120 million investment to increase Western Australia’s custodial capacity.
Treating the causes of alcohol and other drug addiction in a dedicated facility has been required in WA for many years, after the State was plunged into a methamphetamine crisis under the previous Liberal National Government.
The male treatment prison will operate as a standard prison, but will include specialised treatment programs and management standards to help address drug addiction, which can lead to criminal behaviour.
Prisoners will also be transitioned to other programs upon release to continue attempts at changing behaviours and motivations to use drugs.
These release programs, and the treatment in prison, will help to keep the community safe as offenders address the causes of their alcohol and drug addiction that can influence criminal behaviour.
New search and drug testing technology will also be employed at the treatment prison, as well as the drug-detecting dog squad.
The prison will be the second AOD facility after a female treatment prison comes online in the second half of this year at the existing Wandoo Reintegration Facility, which is returning to the public sector.
The construction of the new Casuarina units, including the new treatment prison, is expected to generate up to 1,000 jobs over the next two years.