On Thursday 14 May 2009, Corrective Services Minister Christian Porter announced funding to build a much needed 350-bed prison for the Eastern Goldfields.
The multi-million dollar project is part of the State Government’s $655 million custodial infrastructure program - the most significant prison program in Western Australia’s history.
The custodial infrastructure program will create 1,657 new prisoner beds, with a significant proportion of these scheduled for completion by the end of 2011. The result will be an intended net gain of more than 1,500 beds in the system.
Providing an increase of 250 prison beds for the region, the new prison will replace the existing Goldfields prison, and will be a modern, mixed gender, all security facility. It will be built on the same site as the existing prison.
The anticipated completion of the prison is the end of 2013.
Importantly, it will be designed to engage indigenous prisoners in culturally-appropriate programs and courses and, for the first time in the region, address female prisoners’ needs.
More information on this project can be found in the Government’s media statement or in the Eastern Goldfield’s Regional Prison fact sheet that can be downloaded below.
Last Updated: 27-May-2009
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