Greenough Regional Prison is an Australian prison located in Narngulu, a suburb of Geraldton, Western Australia. The prison was opened in 1984 and had an operational capacity of 328 as of November 2012.[1] The prison houses prisoners from around the Mid West region, including a large proportion of Aboriginal prisoners. A mix of maximum (remand), medium and minimum security prisoners are held at Greenough, including 25 female prisoners, with two cells available for mothers and babies and a minimum security facility that houses 36 male prisoners.[1]
 | |
| Location | Narngulu, Western Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28°50′05″S 114°41′57″E / 28.834674°S 114.69919°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Maximum (remand), medium, minimum (Male and female) |
| Capacity | 323 |
| Opened | October 1984 |
| Managed by | Department of Justice, Western Australia |
Six allegedly drunk prisoners escaped from the facility in 1989 after throwing mattresses over razor wire and climbing over. The prisoners had secretly brewed the alcohol in the prison and consumed it prior to their escape.[2]
Two prisoners escaped from the minimum security section of the prison in 2008 after digging their way out under a security fence using a pool cue and a dust pan.[3]
A report released in 2010 on conditions in the prison found that conditions were degrading with overcrowding, forcing up to three inmates to share cells that were designed to hold one. At the time the prison was designed to hold a total population of 219 had was found to have 260 inmates being housed. Bunk beds used at the facility were found to be a safety risk.[4]
Marlon Noble was held at Greenough for 10 years without being charged with a crime; he was released in 2012.[5] Later the same year three prison officers were injured when attempting to break up a fight between thrill killer Valerie Parashumti and another inmate.[6] Parashumti attempted to escape in 2013 and managed to breach at least one fence before being recaptured and moved to a management cell.[7] On 24 July 2018, ten prisoners escaped from the facility.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "Greenough Regional Prison". 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "Drunken prisoners break out". Sydney Morning Herald. 30 October 1989. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ Joseph Sapienza (17 October 2008). "Pool cue, dust pan used in prison escape". Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ Josh Jerga (10 August 2010). "Report finds living conditions inside Greenough Regional Prison are 'degrading'". News Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "Marlon Noble spent the last 10 years of his life in Greenough Regional Prison". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "Convicted murderer Valerie Parashumti involved in Greenough prison fight". The Telegraph. News Corporation. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ Daniel Emerson (1 June 2013). "Vampire killer in escape bid". The West Australian. Yahoo7. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ "Greenough prison break in WA's Mid West prompts warning for residents to lock doors". ABC News. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.