❓ Mr Hort questions the allocation of $69.9 million to the Department of Justice due to increased prison population. The answer details how the funding was used, primarily for staffing costs, to address demand pressures.
AnsweredQoN 22Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the $69.9 million provided to the Department of Justice outlined in the Government Mid‑year Financial Projections Statement 2024-25 (Page 188, Item 68) "mainly for general cost and demand pressures, including growth in the prison population", and I ask: (a) What portion of this funding, if any, is allocated to addressing staff shortages; (b) If funding is allocated to addressing staff shortages, please provide a breakdown of: (i) how this funding is being distributed; (ii) what key performance indicators (KPIs) have been set; and (iii) the projected increase in staff numbers expected as a result of this funding; (c) What portion of this funding, if any, is allocated to the delivery of services; (d) If funding is allocated to the delivery of services, please provide a breakdown of how this funding is being distributed; and (e) Please provide a detailed breakdown of how this funding is being used to address demand pressures, including growth in the prison population (e.g. additional beds, infrastructure expansions, etc.)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 June 2025
Responded by
Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
9 days
(1)– (5) $69.9 million was allocated as part of an approved excess for the Department of Justice to deliver services in 2024/25. In the 2024/25 Budget, the Department of Justice received funding based on the projected prisoner population. Since that time, growth in the prison population has significantly exceeded expectations, with the custodial estate accommodating prisoners above the 2024/25 funded level.
Recognising this growth, Treasury, in consultation with Justice, revised the WA Prisoner Model (WAPM) projections to inform the 2024/25 Mid-year Review and an associated uplift in funding was supported. The Department of Justice has utilised this additional funding to cover the costs of meeting the increased demand, predominantly for staffing:
Expense Category
2024-25
$’000
Salaries, wages and allowances (includes overtime expenses)
50,591
Other staffing costs expense (includes annual leave and long service leave)
2,886
Super expense - GESB defined contribution schemes concurrent expense (West State and GESB Super)
5,211
Communication Expenses (Phones and computing licenses)
294
Riskcover Insurance Premiums (Workers Compensation Insurance premium)
893
Supplies and Services
10,000
Total Expenses
69,875
Recognising this growth, Treasury, in consultation with Justice, revised the WA Prisoner Model (WAPM) projections to inform the 2024/25 Mid-year Review and an associated uplift in funding was supported. The Department of Justice has utilised this additional funding to cover the costs of meeting the increased demand, predominantly for staffing:
Expense Category
2024-25
$’000
Salaries, wages and allowances (includes overtime expenses)
50,591
Other staffing costs expense (includes annual leave and long service leave)
2,886
Super expense - GESB defined contribution schemes concurrent expense (West State and GESB Super)
5,211
Communication Expenses (Phones and computing licenses)
294
Riskcover Insurance Premiums (Workers Compensation Insurance premium)
893
Supplies and Services
10,000
Total Expenses
69,875
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