Mount Gambier Prison is an Australian prison located in Moorak immediately south of Mount Gambier.
Mount Gambier Prison is the only privately managed prison in South Australia. It is currently managed and operated by G4S Custodial Services Pty Ltd (previously Group 4 Corrections Services).
Video Mount Gambier Prison
Accommodation
The prison accommodates medium and low security male sentenced and remand prisoners. Short-term high security male and female prisoners can also be accommodated when required.
Accommodation includes:
- a traditional cell block arrangement
- shared living cottages
- semi-independent living cottages
- an induction area that houses new prisoners
- a small allocation of high security cells.
Maps Mount Gambier Prison
Prison life
Consistent with other prisons in South Australia, prisoners are placed on incentive based regimes that provide varying levels of privileges based on behaviour.
Prisoners are engaged in a range of work programs including grounds and building maintenance, cleaning, laundry and kitchen work. The prison also has a large timber furniture manufacturing workshop that produces bedroom and living room furniture for dispatch directly to retail outlets in South Australia.
Education and program activities focus on numeracy and literacy skills and cognitive skills programs are aimed at high risk offenders.
Increase in capacity and security improvements
In March 2009, an expansion of the prison was announced. With a project budget of $22.9m, it will be the first South Australian prison to employ the cheaper and faster modular construction method using shipping containers. The cell block is constructed as a single storey facility designed around two wings of 54 beds (total of 108 beds) with a central officers station to supervise both wings. Each wing has a central external exercise yard. A new kitchen will also be built and the prison perimeter will be extended.
- In 2007, to address pressure on the South Australian Custodial Correctional system, the prisons capacity increased from 110 to 139 beds. In June 2012, the capacity of the prison was 172.
- In 2005, a new $950,000 state-of-the art Control Room was officially commissioned.
- During 2003-2004, work was conducted in the cells to eliminate hanging points and the fire safety systems in the cell block, the cottages and the operations building were upgraded.
- The 2017 state budget included provision to spen A$38.8 million on adding 160 beds to Mount Gambier Prison
Incidents
In March 2009, Chief executive of the Department of Correctional Services Peter Severin said that since the Mount Gambier Prison was opened in [1995], it has been a stable facility with "very few" incidents.
- In July 2004, the South Australian Coroner was critical of cell design, Group 4 and Department of Correctional Services staff following the death of a prisoner.
- In April 2001 a single prisoner became the first to escape the facility by climbing two razor-wire topped fences. This is the only escape from within the confines of the prison as of June 2012.
Mount Gambier Prison in the community
A strong partnership exists between Lifeline South East and the prison. This relationship began in mid 1995 with Lifeline's involvement in suicide awareness training for new prison staff.
- In 2010 the prisoner listener program, which aims to reduce suicides at the prison, gained a national award.
- In 1998 prisoners under the instructions of a local builder constructed an education centre within the prison. The work was also attached to a vocational course. This resulted in prisoners learning new skills and obtaining TAFE certificates to assist them upon their release.
References
External links
- Mount Gambier Prison
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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