People held at Western Australia's Hakea Prison were being subjected to unacceptable conditions that fall well short of community expectations and international standards, Custodial Services Inspector Eamon Ryan said.
The problems at the facility reflect broader issues in the overcrowded WA prisons system, leading to inhumane treatment of inmates and wellbeing issues for staff, he said.
Hakea inmates could not get access to clean clothing and had immense difficulty contacting family, Mr Ryan said in his report for a follow-up inspection after a show-cause notice was issued in April.
"I have recommended that the government initiate a formal inquiry into the operations of Hakea Prison," the prisons inspector said on Tuesday.
The inquiry was essential to find practical solutions that uphold prisoners' rights and ensure a safe and sustainable working environment for staff, he said.
"It is deeply concerning that in a modern justice system, people are sleeping on floors beside toilets, denied daily access to showers, cannot get access to clean clothing, have immense difficulty contacting family and are deprived of fresh air," Mr Ryan said.
"The responsibility to act on this recommendation now lies with the minister and the government."
The latest inspection found conditions at Hakea had improved slightly and efforts had been made to address concerning prisoner conditions and staffing shortages, but the facility continued to meet basic standards.
It was part of a broader WA prisons system that was operating beyond its capacity, "placing immense strain on staff, infrastructure, and prisoner welfare", Mr Ryan said.
The previous Hakea inspection conducted in 2024 found inmates were being held in a cruel manner in unhygienic cells infested with pests while being subjected to excessive lockdowns.
Inmates regularly received less than two hours out of cell time in a 24-hour period and sometimes no time outside due to staff shortages.
Hakea is WA's main remand, reception and assessment facility for adult male prisoners.
About 80 per cent of the inmates have not been sentenced or convicted of the offences for which they are being held.
The WA Justice Department said it was improving conditions at Hakea in a bid to enhance the safety, care and welfare of prisoners, and to restore normal daily routines.
The initiatives include bolstering casual clinical and custodial staff, and new staffing agreements.
"We remain committed to addressing issues identified by (the inspector) and delivering better conditions and outcomes for Hakea prisoners," department director-general Kylie Maj said.
The department said it had also established an adult prisoner co-ordination working group to strategically manage the state's entire inmate population.
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