Unused minimum-security wing at Eastern Goldfields Prison highlights staffing shortfall
The minimum-security unit at Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison in Kalgoorlie-Boulder has remained idle for ten years because the Department of Justice cannot staff it.
Unit 5, a low-security transition block built outside the main fence of Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison, has never been occupied since its opening a decade ago. Officials attribute the lack of use to persistent recruitment challenges for prison officers in the region. The Department of Justice is now proposing housing incentives to lure staff to the area. The situation underscores broader staffing pressures within Western Australia’s correctional system.
Why it matters
It shows how staffing shortages can render costly prison facilities unusable, affecting public safety and budget use.
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