Premier

More Prison Beds To Keep Victorians Safe

14 December 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is investing in Victoria’s prison system with more than 470 new beds to be opened in prisons across the state.

The Labor Government is providing almost $345 million to help fund the additional beds, as well as a new dedicated premises for the Adult Parole Board and the new Post-Sentence Authority.

The new beds will open progressively as needed over the next three years to help manage growth in Victoria’s prison population, including the increased numbers of prisoners on remand.

Prisoner numbers have grown in recent years, driven largely by changes to the parole system, sentencing changes, extra police on the beat and a rising population.

The additional beds are part of the Government’s ongoing and extensive work to ensure Victoria’s prison system is equipped to meet demand, now and into the future.

Corrections Victoria is finalising plans for the location of the new beds, which will all be added to existing prisons across the state.

Victoria’s newest prison, the 1000-bed Ravenhall Correctional Centre, began taking prisoners last month and is already providing a significant boost to the system’s capacity.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Gayle Tierney

“We’re planning for the future to ensure our prisons are well equipped with the beds and infrastructure needed to meet demand and keep Victorians safe.”

“Victoria’s prison population has grown significantly in recent years, so these new beds will ensure our prison system remains safe and effective.”

“The former Liberal Government failed to adequately plan for an increase in remand prisoners – we’re fixing the mess they left behind.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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