- Minister for Corrections
Victoria’s prisons will be expanded with boosted behaviour programs, as the Andrews Labor Government takes action to break the cycle of reoffending to keep the community safe and creating jobs in the process.
To make sure our prisons remain safe and secure, the Victorian Budget 2019/20 includes more than $1.8 billion to meet growing demand, including 1600 new beds and new prison infrastructure across the state.
This includes funding to expand the new Chisholm Road prison by 548 beds, making it the largest maximum-security prison in the state.
The women’s prison system will also undergo significant redevelopment, with $237 million for more than 100 new beds and upgraded infrastructure to keep staff and the community safe.
These projects will create thousands of local jobs with apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets comprising 10 per cent of all new workers on the Chisholm Road prison build.
With more prisoners on remand, $6 million has been allocated for detailed planning, design and community consultation for a new custody and courts complex.
The new centre is planned to be built on land owned by the State Government near the Melbourne Assessment Prison and promises to significantly improve the ability of the criminal justice system to manage growth in prison numbers, by delivering short-stay cells and additional courts for magistrates to hear urgent matters.
While we build and expand the prisons that a growing Victoria needs, we also know that we must keep investing in programs to break the cycle of reoffending and keep people out of prison in the first place.
That’s why the Budget provides a total of $42.7 million for programs and services focused on keeping people out of the justice system, including women and aboriginal people.
This investment includes $20 million to reduce the incarceration of women, including for programs targeted at women in prison with a mental illness, intellectual disability or cognitive impairment. It will also go towards reducing incarceration rates of Aboriginal women who remain overrepresented in the justice system.
To reduce the number of Victorians moving into, out of, and then back into the prison system, $22.7 million will be invested in diversion, rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
As noted by Minister for Corrections Ben Carroll
“As Victoria grows and our 3,135 new police officers hit the beat, we’re investing in the infrastructure our corrections system needs to keep the community safe.”
“We know that community safety is more than just building more prison beds – that’s why we’re boosting prison programs and investing in education and skill development that lead to jobs.”
