Latest news with #Section95
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
WA prisoners help with project ensuring the legacy of fallen soldiers is remembered
Standing at the Avenue of Honour in West Australian regional city Albany, you can simultaneously see memorials honouring fallen soldiers and the harbour that many Anzacs set off from as they headed for the war front. Hundreds of plaques sit at the base of trees lining the road that leads to the Fallen Soldier Memorial. As the city prepares to host a raft of events next year for Albany 2026, WA's first bicentenary, the area is undergoing a refresh. This included creating a trail under the trees to provide easier access to the plaques, following requests from family members of those being remembered. A team from the Pardelup Prison Farm built the 600-metre footpath in about six weeks. The Section 95 prisoners have the opportunity to work in the community and acquire skills as part of their rehabilitation. One of the inmates involved spoke to the ABC about the work, saying the names on the plaques and "how hard they would have had it back when they went to war" made a lasting impression. "[They're] ages 18,19, all the way up to the mid 20s ... if they didn't do it, we probably wouldn't be here today," he said. David Johnson, Pardelup Prison Farm's vocational support officer, said about a dozen inmates took part. "It's one of the biggest projects we've done and I certainly felt from the crew we had the most buy-in we've had, in regards to them working here," he said. "The former RSL state president spoke to the men at the start to give them a bit of an idea of why we're doing it and the significance wasn't lost on them. "They worked quite tirelessly to finish the project on time." Vietnam veteran Ralph Flowers lives nearby and for many years has been maintaining the plaques, clearing fallen branches. "Before Anzac Day we had a lot of rain here and a lot of the plaques got spray on them, so I came up and dusted a lot of them off," he said. "The first tree on the right is Private [Ronald John] Bell, Vietnam vet. He's got a special significance to me and he's got a couple of beers I put there for him." WA's Corrective Services and Veterans Minister Paul Papalia said he appreciated the prisoners' contributions. "It's a great opportunity for prisoners, for anyone, to be respectful, to make a contribution on behalf of the community and in remembering our veterans," he said. "Across the state, there are more than 150 prisoners who are veterans and you'd imagine that, over time, when we do [more] projects like this, they will have an opportunity to contribute to something that will be close to their hearts." Avenue of Honour refurbishment project coordinator Jane Mouritz said the work of the prisoners was part of a wider project. "In September we will have the Southern Regional TAFE students planting tree seedlings they collected [for] two garden beds book-ending the path," she said. "Next year we have a plan for ongoing care and management of the Avenue for perpetuity, we hope. "We have invited schools, community groups, businesses all throughout Albany to … adopt the Avenue one month at a time."
Metro
6 days ago
- Metro
Prisoners 'slaughtered and ate' guinea pigs while working at animal shelter
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page Prisoners are accused of eating guinea pigs they took from an animal shelter in Australia. The abandoned pets had been living at a shelter in Perth, Western Australia, when the inmates allegedly decided to turn some of them into food. Now the Department of Corrective Services is investigating the 'disturbing' allegations, ABC News reports. The low-security prisoners had been doing supervised work in the community as part of the Wooroloo Prison Farm's Section 95 programme when the incident happened, it is thought. The furry pets were allegedly slaughtered and stored in a shed for food The investigation was launched after a prison worker found several guinea pig carcasses stored in a shed outside the facility's perimeter, Western Australia's Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said. He told Nine radio: 'They didn't get them into the prison, they have an external area where we maintain tool sheds, things like that for working in the community.' The prisoners were reportedly told at the shelter that the guinea pigs are 'quite tasty,' leading them to slaughter the animals so that they coudl be cooked at the prison. Royce said: 'Eating guinea pigs is a surprise, but any of my Section 95 prisoners, we don't encourage them eating offsite or give them anything. 'In this case there was a deal done, obviously, that will come up in the investigation.' Hundreds of guinea pigs have been abandoned in the UK in recent years (Picture: Getty Images) All Section 95 programmes have been paused while officials carry out the investigation. Royce said in a statement: 'These allegations are disturbing, and I have asked for an investigation into the actions of Section 95 prisoners and their supervision.' Guinea pigs are a popular pet in the UK. The animal, which is classed as a rodent, can live up to seven years. Their diet consists of timothy, grass, carrots and spinach. Despite their cuddly look, guinea pigs are often abandoned by their owners. More than 1,600 guinea pigs were abandoned between 2021 and the end of August 2023, according to the RSPCA. One animal was found at Canning Town Underground station in London. The pet, which was nicknamed DiscoPig, was discovered sitting in a cage with a note saying 'I need a new owner.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Elephant tramples tourist 'who took its photo with flash on' Arrow MORE: The UK's £12 train journey where you can see polar bears from your seat Arrow MORE: Pregnant woman killed and partner's 'head cut off and put on spike'
1News
12-08-2025
- 1News
Guinea pigs from shelter allegedly cooked by Australian prisoners
Guinea pigs have allegedly been slaughtered and eaten by day-release prisoners working at an Australian animal shelter. Allegations of the acts by inmates at Wooroloo prison in WA have left Premier Roger Cook appalled as Corrective Services delve into the claims. "I'm appalled by the revelations that, potentially, guinea pigs were surrendered up for someone's meal in a prison," Cook said. "I understand in some cultures they're considered a delicacy but it's inappropriate for prison personnel on day release to take advantage of an opportunity at an animal refuge. "It sounds like disgusting behaviour." ADVERTISEMENT Prisoners were allegedly told the animals were tasty before inmates started killing some of the former pets, the West Australian reported. They brought the meat back to prison and started cooking it. The inmates' actions were discovered when a staff member found an animal carcass in a fridge. But the animals were not taken inside the prison, Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce told local Perth radio. "They didn't get them into the prison, they have an external area where we maintain tool sheds, things like that," he told 6PR. Royce said prisoners were not encouraged to eat off site and the jail provided them with food. An investigation has been launched into the actions of section 95 prisoners, who are deemed suitable to participate in community service, and their supervision. ADVERTISEMENT "All Section 95 activities from Wooroloo in the community are suspended pending the outcome of investigations," Royce said. The prisoners had been working at the animal shelter as part of a release programme. They were inmates not considered high risk, Royce said. Guinea pig was known as a traditional food in some areas of Peru and Ecuador.
7NEWS
11-08-2025
- 7NEWS
Probe launched as prisoners allegedly eat guinea pigs taken from Perth animal shelter
Guinea pigs have allegedly been slaughtered and eaten by prisoners working at an animal shelter. Allegations of the acts by inmates at Wooroloo prison in WA have left Premier Roger Cook appalled as Corrective Services delve into the claims. 'I'm appalled by the revelations that, potentially, guinea pigs were surrendered up for someone's meal in a prison,' Cook said. 'I understand in some cultures they're considered a delicacy but it's inappropriate for prison personnel on day release to take advantage of an opportunity at an animal refuge. 'It sounds like disgusting behaviour.' Prisoners were allegedly told the animals were tasty before inmates started killing some of the former pets, the West Australian reported. They brought the meat back to prison and started cooking it. Discovery of the inmates' actions came to the fore when a staff member found an animal carcass in a fridge. But the animals were not taken inside the prison, Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce told local Perth radio. 'They didn't get them into the prison, they have an external area where we maintain tool sheds, things like that,' he told said prisoners were not encouraged to eat off site and the jail provided them with food. An investigation has been launched into the actions of section 95 prisoners, who are deemed suitable to participate in community service, and their supervision. 'All Section 95 activities from Wooroloo in the community are suspended pending the outcome of investigations,' Royce said. The prisoners had been working at the animal shelter as part of a release program. They are inmates not considered high risk, Royce said. Guinea pig is known as a traditional food in areas of Peru and Ecuador.
Perth Now
11-08-2025
- Perth Now
Pet guinea pigs kill and cook claim sparks prison probe
Guinea pigs have allegedly been slaughtered and eaten by prisoners working at an animal shelter. Allegations of the acts by inmates at Wooroloo prison in WA have left Premier Roger Cook appalled as Corrective Services delve into the claims. "I'm appalled by the revelations that, potentially, guinea pigs were surrendered up for someone's meal in a prison," Mr Cook said. "I understand in some cultures they're considered a delicacy but it's inappropriate for prison personnel on day release to take advantage of an opportunity at an animal refuge. "It sounds like disgusting behaviour." Prisoners were allegedly told the animals were tasty before inmates started killing some of the former pets, the West Australian reported. They brought the meat back to prison and started cooking it. Discovery of the inmates' actions came to the fore when a staff member found an animal carcass in a fridge. But the animals were not taken inside the prison, Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce told local Perth radio. "They didn't get them into the prison, they have an external area where we maintain tool sheds, things like that," he told Royce said prisoners were not encouraged to eat off site and the jail provided them with food. An investigation has been launched into the actions of section 95 prisoners, who are deemed suitable to participate in community service, and their supervision. "All Section 95 activities from Wooroloo in the community are suspended pending the outcome of investigations," Mr Royce said. The prisoners had been working at the animal shelter as part of a release program. They are inmates not considered high risk, Mr Royce said. Guinea pig is known as a traditional food in areas of Peru and Ecuador.
