Pilbara jail heat 'inhumane, intolerable'

The West Australian Department of Corrective Services says it will "evaluate cost effective cooling options" after conditions at a Pilbara jail were deemed "intolerable and inhumane".

The Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services reiterated its repeatedly expressed concern about temperatures at Roebourne Prison in a report released on Tuesday, saying they were not simply uncomfortable, but "a significant threat to prisoner health".

The inspector says the jail is made from inappropriate building materials that absorb heat during the day and radiate it at night, which is exacerbated by metal cyclone shutters, and temperatures in non-air conditioned cells rarely fall below 30C.

"Even simple mitigation, such as allowing prisoners to eat their meals and spend more time in air-conditioned areas such as the dining room in the hottest months, have not been actioned," the inspector said.

The Commissioner for Corrective Services James McMahon said more work needed to be done to ensure conditions at WA prisons were acceptable.

"With regards to Roebourne Regional Prison, the Department will continue to evaluate cost effective cooling options," he said.

"What I am not going to do is guarantee that every prison cell is air-conditioned."