Friday, January 23, 2026

$181.1m locked in for WA prison expansion

$181.1 million has been pledged by the WA Government to expand Acacia Prison in a bid to strengthen the State’s custodial system to meet growing demand.

An invitation for expressions of interest (EOI) has been released for the design and construction of a 320-bed, two-unit expansion at Acacia Prison to accommodate up to 1,920 prisoners.

“The Cook Government is committed to building safe communities so that all Western Australians feel secure at home, at work and in the community,” said Corrective Services Minister, Paul Papalia.

“This $181.1 million expansion of Acacia Prison is an important step in meeting future demand and keeping our community safe.

“We are committed to building modern facilities that support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.”

The expansion is part of the Government’s Long-Term Custodial Infrastructure Plan, which outlines a pipeline of works to address the prison population.

To ensure timely delivery and cost efficiency, the project will proceed through a ‘design and construct’ procurement model.

The EOI process opened on 28 November 2025 and the project is expected to be delivered by 2029.

Latest Articles