❓ Minister provides an update on the Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison project, highlighting its progress, benefits, and commitment to modern design and rehabilitation. The project is on track to commence in August.
AnsweredQoN 350Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EASTERN
GOLDFIELDS REGIONAL PRISON
350. Dr G.G. JACOBS to the
Minister for Corrective Services:
Can the minister please update the house on the progress of
works on an important infrastructure build in my electorate, the Eastern
Goldfields Regional Prison?
GOLDFIELDS REGIONAL PRISON
350. Dr G.G. JACOBS to the
Minister for Corrective Services:
Can the minister please update the house on the progress of
works on an important infrastructure build in my electorate, the Eastern
Goldfields Regional Prison?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Eyre for that question. I know that he
has shown some support for a fresh approach to trying to intervene in the
troubled lives of some people who present a risk to society, and I thank him
for that support.
At the end of last year, the state entered into an agreement
with Assure Partners Consortium in a public–private partnership
arrangement for the design and development process for the new Eastern
Goldfields Regional Prison. This new prison at the moment will cost around $232
million. It will be a mixed-gender facility for both male and female prisoners
and provide 250 beds in modern cells utilising the latest prison design. It is
important that we all recognise that prisoners are sent to prison as a
punishment in itself, and not for punishment. The current prison out in
Kalgoorlie in the member for Eyre's electorate is old and obviously
passing its use-by date. It is important to provide a certain level of
accommodation at a certain level of human decency if we want to provide
offenders with the best possible chance of rehabilitation. Yesterday, I visited
and inspected the prototype cells for the new Eastern Goldfields Regional
Prison that will be built in Kalgoorlie. New designs in prison cells mean not
only better comfort and better security for prisoners, but also better security
for prison officers and those who have to work within the prison system. It
also means a reduced ability for the self-harm of prisoners, and, very
importantly, more sensitivities to cultural issues, especially amongst
Aboriginal inmates. It is great to see the Department of Corrective Services
planning in advance because it knows that prior preparation prevents poor
performance. Designing and testing cell layouts, and also the equipment fitted
into those cells, is the best way to get it right in advance, rather than having
to make modifications after a prison is built.
In closing, I am looking forward to the start of earth and
site works and construction up in the eastern goldfields in Kalgoorlie,
scheduled to commence in August. Regardless of what the naysayers opposite have
said, this project is on track, it is on time, it will commence in August as
scheduled and I am looking forward to its start.
has shown some support for a fresh approach to trying to intervene in the
troubled lives of some people who present a risk to society, and I thank him
for that support.
At the end of last year, the state entered into an agreement
with Assure Partners Consortium in a public–private partnership
arrangement for the design and development process for the new Eastern
Goldfields Regional Prison. This new prison at the moment will cost around $232
million. It will be a mixed-gender facility for both male and female prisoners
and provide 250 beds in modern cells utilising the latest prison design. It is
important that we all recognise that prisoners are sent to prison as a
punishment in itself, and not for punishment. The current prison out in
Kalgoorlie in the member for Eyre's electorate is old and obviously
passing its use-by date. It is important to provide a certain level of
accommodation at a certain level of human decency if we want to provide
offenders with the best possible chance of rehabilitation. Yesterday, I visited
and inspected the prototype cells for the new Eastern Goldfields Regional
Prison that will be built in Kalgoorlie. New designs in prison cells mean not
only better comfort and better security for prisoners, but also better security
for prison officers and those who have to work within the prison system. It
also means a reduced ability for the self-harm of prisoners, and, very
importantly, more sensitivities to cultural issues, especially amongst
Aboriginal inmates. It is great to see the Department of Corrective Services
planning in advance because it knows that prior preparation prevents poor
performance. Designing and testing cell layouts, and also the equipment fitted
into those cells, is the best way to get it right in advance, rather than having
to make modifications after a prison is built.
In closing, I am looking forward to the start of earth and
site works and construction up in the eastern goldfields in Kalgoorlie,
scheduled to commence in August. Regardless of what the naysayers opposite have
said, this project is on track, it is on time, it will commence in August as
scheduled and I am looking forward to its start.
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