Major investment in new prison infrastructure

The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering on our Plan to keep Tasmanians safe, by investing in the prison infrastructure our State needs to ensure serious and dangerous criminals are securely behind bars.

The 2018-19 State Budget includes:

$70 million for a new Southern remand facility on the Risdon Prison site; and
$45 million (of a $150 million project) for Stage 1 of a new Northern prison.

The new remand facility on the Risdon Prison site will have capacity for at least 70 remandees. This represents a significant capital outlay that will house a growing cohort in most Australian jurisdictions.

Prison populations have grown throughout Australia and Tasmania has not been immune to this trend.It is clear that a new prison is needed to not only ensure the safety of the community and our Tasmania Prison Service (TPS) staff, but also allow for greater rehabilitation opportunities for prisoners.

This is why the 2018-19 State Budget includes $45 million across the Forward Estimates to commencework on Stage 1 of a new 270 bed prison in the State’s north.

The prison will be built in two stages, with construction expected to commence in the 2019-20 financial year providing for up to 140 beds following an extensive planning and design phase.

Stage 1 will be completed within five years, with Stage 2 works to follow thereafter.

These two major projects will see the creation of more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction.

In addition to our significant infrastructure spend, the 2018-19 State Budget also allocates $150,000 to deliver a Chatter Matters pilot program to prisoners in Tasmania, which uses evidence-based practices to improve literacy, support positive interpersonal interaction and communication skills, and skills for developing secure attachment with their children.

While we make no apologies for being tough on serious crime, we want offenders to get their lives back on track and become productive, law-abiding members of society who no longer pose a threat to their victims or community safety.