Our state’s prisons will be more secure than ever before, with new plans to strengthen Victoria’s corrections system.
To help keep our state safe, the Victorian Budget 2018/19 will invest $689.5 million to build a new 700 bed maximum-security men’s prison at the Lara Prison Precinct.
The expansion, which will be around double the size of Barwon Prison – follows the record investment by the Andrews Labor Government to recruit 3,135 extra police, and introduce tougher sentencing and bail laws.
These changes, plus an increasing population, mean serious offenders are spending more time behind bars – and we’re planning for that growth.
The previous Liberal Government failed to plan for this growth – leaving our prison system overcrowded and unsafe for staff and prisoners.
The Lara Prison Precinct Expansion is part of our work to fix the mess they left behind, and make the investments needed to ensure the prison system is safe, secure and well-equipped to meet demand.
Construction of the new Lara Prison is also set to create hundreds of local jobs, with ongoing employment opportunities once the facility is complete.
Through Local Jobs First we will ensure Victorian contractors and workers are given the opportunity to build this new facility. Under the Government’s Major Projects Skills Guarantee, registered apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets will make up 10 per cent of the project’s total estimated labour hours.
The Lara Prison Precinct Expansion is on top of the 470 additional beds the Government announced last year, that will open across the state.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Gayle Tierney
“Our tough new sentencing laws mean serious offenders will spend more time behind bars - by building this new prison, we’re making sure our corrections system is ready.”
“The previous Liberal Government left our state with crumbling, overcrowded prisons. We’re fixing that mess.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Lara John Eren
“This new prison will not only keep our community safe – it will create hundreds of local jobs, during construction and into the future once it’s up and running.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020