Victoria’s prison system is set to receive a significant funding boost under the upcoming state budget, aimed at enhancing capacity and staffing levels in the wake of stricter bail laws. During a visit to the newly constructed Western Plains Correctional Centre, Premier Jacinta Allan announced a $727 million allocation. This investment is expected to create an additional 1,000 prison beds, primarily to improve both youth and adult justice systems.
The funding will also support the hiring of 320 youth justice workers and 400 adult justice workers, each receiving an $8,000 sign-on bonus. Allan noted that the new bail legislation has resulted in a rise in the number of individuals being incarcerated rather than granted bail, asserting that Victoria now enforces the strictest bail laws in the nation.
The Western Plains Correctional Centre, which has remained unused since its completion in 2023, will begin housing inmates in July. Meanwhile, questions have been raised regarding the net increase in prison capacity, particularly from Shadow Corrections Minister David Southwick, who claimed that the funding represents a “con job.” He argued that this increase is misleading, especially with the anticipated closure of Port Phillip Prison, which will remove 1,100 beds from the system.
In addition, a no-confidence vote against the leadership of Corrections Victoria has recently been passed by prison staff, indicating widespread discontent regarding safety and morale. Approximately 94% of corrections officers supported the motion, prompting the Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan to propose an amendment to the Corrections Act. This change will clarify that prison time will be mandated for those found guilty of assaulting staff members.
Erdogan emphasised the need for a safe working environment for corrections staff and made it clear that assaults on these individuals would carry serious consequences. Overall, these developments highlight the Victorian government’s commitment to addressing pressing safety and capacity issues within the correctional system while also responding to staff concerns.