The Victorian Government has extended its contract with GEO Group Australia Pty Ltd for the continued management and operation of the Fulham Correctional Centre and the Fulham Nalu Challenge Community Unit.
GEO Group Australia has owned and operated the Fulham Correctional Centre for the past 18 years.
The current contract included an option to extend by up to 20 years, subject to the State of Victoria and GEO Australia agreeing to the extension terms.
The extension arrangements represent value for money for Victorians, including substantial improvements in the contractual and operational arrangements.
Subject to performance, the new contract term will run for up to 19 years and three months, commencing from 1 July 2016.
GEO Australia will receive service payments of $1.45 billion over the contract for the operation and maintenance of the medium-security prison. This includes any required upgrade and refurbishment of the prison.
The prison’s operations continue to be provided at the lowest cost per prisoner in Victoria.
GEO Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American-based GEO Group, which specialises in the design, financing, development, and operation of correctional, detention, and community re-entry facilities in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
The recent addition of 54 new medium-security prison beds brings Fulham’s capacity to more than 940 prisoners.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections, Wade Noonan
“The Victorian Government has secured a long-term extension of the Fulham agreement with GEO Australia, which will ensure continued operation and jobs at the correctional facility.”
“The new arrangements include necessary investments to refurbish the prison as required over the extension term.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020