WorkSafe WA has initiated legal proceedings against the state's Department of Justice over allegations of sexual harassment and bullying at Bunbury Regional Prison. 

WorkSafe may, for the first time, prosecute over psychological harm under new workplace safety laws.

The allegations centre on the treatment of a former female prison officer, who was reportedly subjected to sexual harassment and bullying while employed at the prison. 

The Department of Justice, which manages Bunbury Regional Prison, has been charged with failing to provide a safe workplace. 

If found guilty, the department could face a fine of up to $3.5 million.

WorkSafe alleges that the prison failed to implement proper systems to address inappropriate behaviours such as sexual harassment, bullying, and victimisation. These failures, it claims, resulted in severe psychological harm to the officer in question. 

According to a WorkSafe statement; “It is alleged that a failure by the department to have procedures in place to deal with inappropriate workplace behaviours caused harm to an employee, a female prison officer”. 

The inappropriate behaviours listed include sexual harassment, bullying, and intimidation.

The case is set to be heard at the Bunbury Magistrates Court in November. 

A successful prosecution could have significant implications for workplace safety management, particularly regarding mental health and psychological welfare in high-risk environments such as prisons.

Earlier this year, WorkSafe issued an improvement notice to the prison, citing persistent issues with workplace conduct. 

According to WorkSafe investigator Louise Coubrough, staff had been exposed to “ inappropriate behaviours [including] suggestive sexual comments and advances in the workplace, the presence of items made into sexual props, bullying and intimidation and threats to personal security should reports be made about the inappropriate behaviours in the workplace”.

A recent report from the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services described Bunbury Regional Prison as “crowded and aging”, potentially exacerbating these issues.

Calls for further action have intensified, with a petition by a former employee advocating for a parliamentary inquiry into the prison’s conditions. 

CareerSpot This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.