Pressure on Department of Justice after second woman dies at Perth prison
WARNING: Some Indigenous readers may find the content of this story distressing.
Advocates are urging a transparent government review of WA’s Bandyup Women’s Prison after a second Aboriginal woman died in custody within five weeks, intensifying scrutiny of prison health, safety and oversight.
WA Police will prepare reports for the State coroner after a 40-year-old Aboriginal woman died at Bandyup Women’s Prison, in Perth’s north-east, on Saturday morning.
The death follows that of a 35-year-old Aboriginal inmate inside the same facility just over a month earlier.
The Department of Justice said the 40-year-old was found unresponsive in her bed on Saturday morning. Staff administered first aid until St John WA ambulance officers arrived.
The DoJ stated that the woman was declared deceased and preliminary reports indicate there were no suspicious circumstances. As is mandatory for deaths in custody, WA Police will prepare a report for the State coroner.
Key Points
- Second Aboriginal woman dies at Bandyup Women’s Prison within five weeks
- DoJ says preliminary reports indicate no suspicious circumstances
- WA Police to prepare reports for the state coroner as mandated
- Advocates seek transparent review and stronger health governance
- Calls to revisit 1991 royal commission recommendations persist
- Minister Papalia says any death in custody is a tragedy
Calls for a transparent review
WA Greens leader Brad Pettitt said the deaths of two Aboriginal women at Bandyup raise urgent questions about safety and oversight inside the prison. He called for a government review to identify systemic issues and ensure safeguards are effective.
Mr Pettitt also urged the WA government to revisit and fully implement outstanding recommendations from the 1991 royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody.
The commission delivered 339 recommendations spanning prison safety, justice diversion, post-death investigations and broader social change. A 2017 review by Deloitte found some recommendations had not been adopted by state governments.
According to DoJ data, there have been eight recorded deaths in custody in WA so far this year. Over the same period, there were four deaths in 2024 and five in 2025. WA Police will prepare the required coronial reports for the recent cases, consistent with mandatory procedures for deaths in custody.
Health governance
National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery project director Megan Krakouer said prisoner health must be prioritised and moved from the responsibility of the DoJ to the state’s health department.
She also called for an overhaul of a Federal health law that prevents people in custodial settings from accessing Medicare and medicines subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Aboriginal Legal Service of WA CEO Wayne Nannup said a greater focus on rehabilitation was needed across the system, and that he would support a review of Bandyup Women’s Prison. He cautioned that challenges extend across the “whole prison environment.”
Mr Nannup said the priority must include early intervention, prevention and services that support rehabilitation in the community.
Government response
WA Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia expressed condolences following the deaths and said they would be subject to a coronial inquest. He said it would be inappropriate to comment further while that process was underway.
