Surge in number of WA prisoners denied parole as those freed breach release conditions, new data reveals

Freed WA prisoners are breaching their parole conditions in ever-rising numbers but are finding it tougher to get out in the first place, new data shows. The Prisoners Review Board’s latest annual report has revealed that 1804 inmates had their parole applications denied in 2024-25, up 21.2 per cent from the year before. At the same time, the number of inmates who became eligible for parole increased by 10.8 per cent. The report also showed a years-long trend of rising parole breaches steadily continued, with common contributing factors including a lack of suitable accommodation and substance abuse. Shadow Attorney General Nick Goiran said keeping offenders in custody for longer where the risks to the community were too high was the right call, but they needed to be properly prepared for return to the community. “The Cook Labor Government seems to have forgotten that longer incarceration brings a greater responsibility to rehabilitate,” Mr Goiran said. “This report shows that isn’t happening . . . the same problems are simply being kicked down the road.” Chairperson Jeremy Curthoys said the Board’s already massive workload has been made heavier by legislative changes in December that made electronic monitoring mandatory for repeat and serious domestic violence offenders, unless exceptional circumstances exist. “The issues that have subsequently arisen regarding the technological, equipment and resourcing limitations in regional areas for the use of electronic monitoring are not factors to which the amendments had regard,” the former Supreme Court judge said. The Opposition has been pressing this issue in Parliament for months, raising concerns including coverage gaps in regional WA and police response times. “Community safety should never hinge on whether the Government prioritises funding a racetrack over funding basic monitoring tools,” Mr Goiran said. “The public is entitled to expect that the extra time in custody is used to reduce reoffending. “Instead, it is being squandered because the programs, housing pathways and monitoring tools simply aren’t in place.” The latest Department of Justice annual report showed the total number of adult prisoners in WA surged last financial year to 8078, from 7143.