Immigration detainees moved to WA prison

Detainees from an immigration detention centre near Perth have been moved into the maximum-security Casuarina Prison.

The six men are believed to be mostly asylum seekers who took part in rooftop protests last month at the Yongah Hill centre.

The ABC reports two of the men are believed to have been transferred again to Christmas Island, where other protesters were sent.

An immigration spokesman said the department was allowed to relocate disruptive detainees to other facilities such as prisons and would not hesitate to use more stringent controls against disruptive behaviour.

"People in immigration detention are expected to behave reasonably and uphold all Australian laws," the spokesman said.

WA's Department of Corrective Services referred AAP to its agreement with the immigration department to hold detainees in custody on behalf of federal authorities.