Investigation finds nothing illegal about Wooroloo prisoners eating guinea pigs while on work-release

It was unacceptable for prisoners to eat guinea pigs while on work-release at an animal shelter but the convicts did nothing illegal, an internal jail inquiry has found. No worker was coerced into surrendering the furry critters for consumption, investigators found, and the suspended work program has been reinstated. The Department of Justice inquiry was launched after a cooked guinea pig was found in a prison fridge. The West Australian’s revelation of the August discovery triggered an embarrassing scandal for the State Government and saw the so-called Section 95 work program put on ice pending the outcome of an inquiry. “The Department of Justice has concluded its investigation,” a department spokesperson said. “It found that whilst the actions of the prisoners in this instance were not acceptable, they were not unlawful, nor did they involve any coercion. “Wooroloo staff and all officers managing prisoners in the community, have been reminded of the departmental policies that apply to Section 95 activities and the proper supervision and guidance of prisoners. “Wooroloo S-95 maintenance projects have resumed.” A separate RSPCA investigation into what happened at the Swanhill Farm in Northam found no wrongdoing. “The RSPCA WA inspector assigned to investigate the report has concluded her investigation,” an RSPCA spokesperson said. “No offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 was established.” The finding backs claims by Swanhill Farm that no animals suffered before being devoured by inmates. Guinea pigs are consumed regularly in South America and can be ordered at some North American restaurants. The flesh has a gamey flavour and is considered “meatier” than rabbit. A prison staffer blew the whistle on the scandal after word got around about the unlikely way prisoners were supplementing their diets. “An unknown amount of guinea pig meat still on carcass was brought back into the prison industries fridge, where it was found by another vocational support officer who was outraged,” a note sent to the WA Prison Officers Union said. “This was all reported to the security manager, who attended. All of the above was reported to Wooroloo security, however staff have little confidence in a competent investigation, noting rumours (authorities) were aware for some time of the failings of proper supervision of prisoners when out of the prison.” Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia described the reports as no “great shock”. “They will be caught in the event that they breach (the rules) and in this case that has happened and they’ll suffer a consequence as a result, even if it’s not being on Section 95 any more. “Section 95 means they can go out from the prison and do work and prepare themselves for returning to the community by helping complete work that needs to be done.” In 2021, a Tasmania couple made headlines when they revealed they had been farming guinea pigs for food. Rees and Col Campbell, from the north-western town of Wynyard, told the ABC that eating the animals was a “kinder all-round way of eating meat”. “It’s quite a dense meat, so . . . one guinea pig weighing perhaps 600g will certainly feed both Col and I a couple of meals in a stew,” Ms Campbell said. “Everybody that we’ve fed it to has been pleasantly surprised . . . everybody has enjoyed it.” Ms Campbell told the ABC that the reaction of dinner guests varied, with some saying: “oh, how could you do that? They’re cute!” and more adventurous diners saying: “Wow, how interesting . . . what do they taste like?” The guinea pig scandal tarnished a work-release program that is considered one of the WA prison system’s more successful initiatives. Since 1998 inmates have provided several hundred thousand hours of work to local communities who could not afford to pay market rates for the services provided. Last financial year, participants from Wooroloo contributed close to 12,000 hours of labour to local governments, bushfire mitigation services and charities. The program allows inmates to develop employment and social skills, which boosts their chances of getting good jobs when their sentences are completed. All participants are screened rigorously to ensure they are a minimal risk to the community.