How does the Minister reconcile rising prison numbers with maintaining safe, secure, and well-supervised prison environments?

Answer

I refer the member to my response to WPQ 19812 (2026). In addition to having sufficient physical capacity to house the prison population, it is also my expectation that this is done safely, securely, and humanely. Detailed staffing models are prepared and maintained for each prison, and staff safety plans are developed daily to ensure safe staffing levels are maintained. Each prison staffing model reflects the capacity of the site, security classification of prisoners, site infrastructure, and services provided. Capacity and FTE requirements are continually reviewed and updated to reflect the actual and forecasted prison population. This strong focus on recruitment has seen excellent results over the last couple of years, particularly with the launch of Corrections' recruitment campaign in February 2024. This campaign has been very successful, and at the end of February 2026 there were an additional 1,010 FTE staff working on the frontline since the campaign launched, including 958 corrections officers. I am advised that Corrections has received more than 170,000 applications since the launch of the campaign.