| Prison name | Casuarina Prison |
|---|---|
| Location | Casuarina, Western Australia, 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Perth |
| Coordinates | 32°14′23″S 115°52′41″E |
| Status | Operational |
| Classification | Minimum to maximum (Male) |
| Capacity | 1200 |
| Opened | June 1991 (age 35) |
| Managed by | Department of Justice, Western Australia |
Casuarina Prison is the main maximum-security prison for Western Australia, located in the Perth, Western Australia suburb of Casuarina. The prison accommodates minimum, medium and maximum-security prisoners. It was opened in 1991 to replace Fremantle Prison, which was 130 years old.[1] The prison was the scene of a riot on Christmas Day 1998.[1] The prison featured in the documentary Australia's Hardest Prison: Lockdown Oz on the National Geographic channel in 2008, following the lives of prisoners and officers.[1]
The prison has been subject of multiple legal actions due to alleged "inhumane conditions".[2] In 2022, seventeen teenagers were relocated to the maximum security prison prompting a class action.[3] The Department of Justice has defended its actions,[4] while victim advocates have raised concerns around the law firm representing the youth.[5] The Australian Human Rights Commission has raised concerns about the issue of teenagers being held at the prison,[6] prompting calls for further action.[7]
Scenes from the 2013 film Son of a Gun were filmed inside the prison.[8]
Notable prisoners
- Jack Roche[9]
- Dante Arthurs[10]
- David Birnie (1951–2005)[11]
- Robert Bropho (1930–2011)[12]
- Terence Kelly, Kidnapper of Cleo Smith[13]
- Bradley Edwards, convicted of the Claremont serial killings
- Cleveland Dodd (died on 19 October 2023)[14]
References
- ^ "National Geographic films Casuarina Prison". NewsComAu. News Limited. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- ^ "'Cruel and inhumane': Prisoners locked up in special unit of WA jail say it amounts to illegal confinement". ABC News. 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Seventeen Banksia Hill juvenile inmates moved to Casuarina Prison". ABC News. 2022-07-20. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ Ramsey, Michael (2022-10-06). "WA youth prison could face more lockdowns despite class action plans". WAtoday. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Open letter re Banksia Hill teenagers". Levitt Robinson Classless Actions. 2022-08-09. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Government action needed to protect children in detention". humanrights.gov.au. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Disadvantaged Youth". Levitt Robinson Classless Actions. 2022-07-27. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ Quinn, Karl (16 October 2014). "Brenton Thwaites behind bars in Son of a Gun, Julius Avery's breakout". The Sydney Morning Herald
- ^ Hayward, Andrea (17 May 2007). "Freed Roche: 'I'll stay clean'". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ "Accused child killer to undergo more psych testing". ABC News. 1 December 2006. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ "Coroner told Birnie depressed in days before suicide". ABC News. 18 December 2007. Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ "Delay in officially informing Bropho's family of his death". ABC News. 25 October 2011.
- ^ "Cleo Smith found: Accused kidnapper Terence Kelly arrives at Casuarina Prison". perthnow.com.au. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ Court, Coroner's. "Inquest into the Death of Cleveland Keith DODD". www.coronerscourt.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 2025-12-08.