❓ The WA government confirms the use of body-worn cameras in some prisons and announces a pilot program at Hakea and Casuarina Prisons in 2026, following previous use at Banksia Hill and by specialist units.
AnsweredQoN 535Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Do any Corrective Services officers currently use body-worn cameras in Western Australian prisons, and if so, at which facilities? (2) Has the Department undertaken any trial or pilot of body-worn cameras within prisons, and if so: (a) when did the trial commence and conclude; (b) what were the findings of the trial; and (c) will the Minister table the evaluation report? (3) Has the Department received requests from prison officers or the WA Prison Officers’ Union for the introduction of body-worn cameras, and if so: (a) when were these requests made; and (b) what has been the Government’s response to those requests? (4) Has the Department conducted any costings, procurement exercises, or risk assessments regarding the introduction of body-worn cameras in WA prisons? (5) What measures, if any, has the Government implemented in place of body-worn cameras to improve officer safety, evidence collection, and accountability within prisons? (6) Will the Minister commit to introducing body-worn cameras for prison officers?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
7 days
The Department of Justice advises:
1) Yes. Corrective Services officers currently use body worn cameras at Banksia Hill Detention Centre; Unit 18; and Acacia Prison. Corrective Services officers from the Special Operations Group and the Drug Detection Unit use body worn cameras when they are deployed to custodial facilities across Western Australia.
2) Yes.
a) Banksia Hill Detention Centre piloted body worn cameras in 2016 and implemented body worn cameras in 2018.
b) A formal evaluation was not undertaken, as the technology had already demonstrated its effectiveness during the Western Australia Police Force’s rollout of body-worn cameras. A formal evaluation will be conducted as the technology is implemented across the adult estate.
c) Not applicable.
3) No.
(a) – (b) Not applicable.
4) Yes.
5) The Department has installed Close Circuit Television (CCTV) across custodial facilities statewide; this is effective for officer safety, evidence collection and accountability.
6) The State government has approved $1.4 million which will support a pilot implementation of body worn cameras at Hakea Prison and Casuarina Prison in 2026.
1) Yes. Corrective Services officers currently use body worn cameras at Banksia Hill Detention Centre; Unit 18; and Acacia Prison. Corrective Services officers from the Special Operations Group and the Drug Detection Unit use body worn cameras when they are deployed to custodial facilities across Western Australia.
2) Yes.
a) Banksia Hill Detention Centre piloted body worn cameras in 2016 and implemented body worn cameras in 2018.
b) A formal evaluation was not undertaken, as the technology had already demonstrated its effectiveness during the Western Australia Police Force’s rollout of body-worn cameras. A formal evaluation will be conducted as the technology is implemented across the adult estate.
c) Not applicable.
3) No.
(a) – (b) Not applicable.
4) Yes.
5) The Department has installed Close Circuit Television (CCTV) across custodial facilities statewide; this is effective for officer safety, evidence collection and accountability.
6) The State government has approved $1.4 million which will support a pilot implementation of body worn cameras at Hakea Prison and Casuarina Prison in 2026.
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