Page 1177 - Week 04 - Thursday, 26 March 2015
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It is no secret that the AMC has been experiencing acute accommodation pressures in recent years. It is a reality that some people in our community fail to uphold the standards of conduct and behaviour that we have collectively decided make a safe and lawful society. The ACT government has maintained a long-term commitment to seeking alternatives to custodial detention where appropriate and in the best interests of the community. We have sought out opportunities to divert offenders away from prison, the goal of which has been to rehabilitate offenders and restore the harm done by their behaviour. Unfortunately, the consequences of some offending may always require custodial detention.
It became clear to me last year that some intelligent and strategic expansion of our prison is necessary and, equally, that we can do more to promote a safer and more secure community through reforms to our justice system. We must provide a safe environment for detainees and staff and ensure community safety by maintaining a secure prison that also maintains a rehabilitative and therapeutic focus.
To that end the ACT government has committed in total just under $60 million to provide the required additional facilities, including $5.77 million for design and planning and $54 million for construction. Two new buildings are under construction, providing an additional 110 beds and capability for up to 142 beds. A 56-cell, 80-bed accommodation unit will house mainstream detainees. This building may be expanded by a further 32 beds in times of need.
A 30-bed special care centre will provide capability to house detainees requiring more intensive supervision. Construction work began in August 2014 and has been progressing well since that time. The special care centre is on track to receive detainees in the second half of 2015, with the accommodation unit expected to be ready by mid-2016.
During January this year I took the opportunity to visit the site and see firsthand the positive progress of work. The diligent oversight by officers in the ACT government and the managing contractor, along with careful, considered planning, is holding this important project within its budget and it is tracking well towards being ready for detainees when expected.
The flexible design of the buildings is beginning to take shape. As precast walls are tilted up it has become possible to identify features that will improve separation and segregation capabilities. The intelligent hub and spoke design that splits the cells in each building across a number of independent wings is becoming clear. As the buildings near completion, other intelligent, flexible features will emerge. On-site services have been included that will reduce the need to escort detainees to other parts of the AMC. This will assist in improving the efficiency of AMC operations, support safe custody of detainees and allow detainees to spend a greater proportion of their time productively.
While we are building capacity to hold more detainees at the AMC, we must maintain an ongoing focus on how we can return offenders as productive members of our society. The facilities under construction are also imbued with a rehabilitative focus.
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