Wooroloo Prison Farm is a minimum-security prison.
Prisoners work in the local community and are involved in reforestation programs, Department of Environment and Conservation programs, training at local businesses and general community projects.
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In brief |
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Opened: |
1972 |
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Gender of population: |
Male |
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Security level: |
Minimum |
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Design capacity: |
249 |
| Current capacity (as at 30 October 2009): | 281 |
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Work camp capacity: |
12 |
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Location: |
55 km east of Perth |
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Visiting: |
Weekends and public holidays: 9.15 am – 11.15 am and 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm. Three adults maximum at one time per visit, plus children. Book visits on (08) 9573 3088 (Monday to Thursday: 10.00 am – 12 noon and 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm) A prison bus service is available on Sundays and public holidays. The bus departs from Midland Train Station at 12 noon. |
History
Wooroloo was built in 1915 as a sanatorium for people with tuberculosis and leprosy and, as a result, the prison buildings are listed on the State Register of Heritage Places. By the 1960s, the sanatorium was no longer required and the institution became a general hospital for the surrounding district.
The hospital closed in 1970 and Corrective Services took over the site in 1972. Wooroloo Prison was established as a minimum-security prison with an arrangement it would continue to offer the use of its amenities to the local community. This special relationship continues today, with locals using the prison swimming pool.
A perimeter fence was completed at Wooroloo in 2007 and in April 2008 a redevelopment program was completed to replace buildings lost in a major fire in 1997 and to improve other prison facilities.
The 2008 project increased prison capacity by 35 beds to 250, and included the construction of three six-bed self care units and refurbishment of other prisoner accommodation. The new self-care units give prisoners the opportunity to learn life skills such as cleaning, cooking, budgeting and laundry to help them prepare for release.
A new prisoner induction area, a new health building and the refurbishment and extension of existing buildings to create an education area were also part of the 2008 project.
Day-to-day operations
The prison farm breeds and fattens sheep and cattle to provide food for the prison system, offsetting some of the costs of prisoner management.
Prisoners are employed in:
- building maintenance
- cabinet-making
- cooking
- domestic duties
- farming
- gardening
- timber production
- vehicle mechanics
- welding.
Prisoners have the opportunity to participate in part-time and full-time education, a large focus being on numeracy and literacy courses and cultural awareness.
The prison's large industries complex produces goods for the prison system and for external contracts. Prisoners are taught workshop skills and many undertake traineeships to help them gain employment upon release from prison.
A medical facility provides services to the prison from 7.00 am – 7.00 pm.
Up to 12 prisoners from Wooroloo are based at the Kellerberrin work camp.
Contact Details
Wooroloo Prison Farm
Great Eastern Highway
WOOROLOO WA 6558
Telephone: (08) 9573 3000
Facsimile: (08) 9573 1113
Postal address:
Wooroloo Prison Farm
PO Box 100
WOOROLOO WA 6558
Last Updated: 2-Nov-2009
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