Vic: Govt announces new relocatable jail cell blocks

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2001
Vic: Govt announces new relocatable jail cell blocks

MELBOURNE, Aug 19 AAP - Six relocatable jail cell blocks with state-of-the-art security
are to be added to Victoria's prison system.

Victorian Corrections Minister Andre Haermeyer said today the cell blocks would provide
304 beds within the next six months.

Mr Haermeyer unveiled the first of the 50-bed relocatable cell blocks at the Dame Phyllis
Frost Women's Prison at Deer Park in Melbourne's west today.

The other relocatable blocks will be opened at Ararat, Barwon, Port Phillip and Dhurringile
prisons and the Fulham Correctional Centre.

Mr Haermeyer told reporters the cell blocks had state-of-the-art security.

"What they enable us to do is to have a more flexible approach to where we locate prisoners.

They can be moved to any prison in the state as required."

The minister also announced that a permanent 50-bed cell block would also be built
at the Dame Phyllis Frost centre.

Mr Haermeyer said the extra prison beds would help clear police cells of female prisoners.

AAP tsc/gfr/ldj/bwl

KEYWORD: PRISONS VIC

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