Premier Roger Cook doesn’t mind people eating guinea pigs but disgusted by Wooroloo Prison Farm slaughter

Roger Cook says he is not opposed to people eating guinea pigs, but was “appalled” and “disgusted” by claims Perth prisoners have been slaughtering surrendered pets for meat. The West revealed on Monday that a work release program at the Wooroloo Prison Farm in Perth’s Hills has been suspended by the Justice Department, after a staff member found a guinea pig carcass in the fridge. “I’m appalled by the revelations that potentially a pet that was at a refuge was surrendered up for someone’s meal at a prison, it sounds like disgusting behaviour,” the Premier said. “I’m not against eating guinea pigs. I understand in some culture they’re considered a delicacy but it’s inappropriate for prison personnel on day release to take advantage of a opportunity at a animal refuge.” The black market meal trade was detailed in recorded calls made from Wooroloo to people outside the jail, until a vocational support officer raised the alarm. The inmates were part of the minimum security Wooroloo Prison Farm’s section 95 program, which allows minimum-security prisoners to participate in supervised work programs in the community. The work program has now been suspended. “So that’s a lost opportunity for those prisoners looking forward to a little bit of extra liberty,” Mr Cook said. “So that’s on them and, obviously, those particular prisoners will be dealt with if there’s any rules or guides that have been contravened.”