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Canberra Today 24°/29° | Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Symonston to re-open as the prison bulges at the seams

Alexander Maconochie Centre, jail, prison

SHANE Rattenbury says the Symonston Correctional Facility on Mugga Lane may be used over the coming months to accommodate a small cohort of detainees as a result of increasing population pressures at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC).

“The AMC has experienced increasing accommodation pressures in recent times. While work is well underway on the construction of additional accommodation to provide additional capacity, numbers have again increased to levels that are challenging to manage solely within the AMC,” Shane said.

“ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS) management and staff have continued to respond with exceptional professionalism in their day to day management of increased detainee numbers, however, sustained high detainee numbers has resulted in the decision to have the Symonston facility available to house full time detainees.

“The Symonston facility will only be used as a contingency and on an as-needed basis until the additional accommodation at the AMC is completed in the second half of 2015.

“If this option is utilised, a small cohort of detainees will be individually selected for their suitability to be temporarily moved to the Symonston facility, which is currently used to house Periodic Detention detainees on weekends.

“The Symonston facility is a secure facility that has been used as a correctional centre by ACTCS for approximately 20 years, including as a full time remand centre for many years. It is equipped with CCTV and has a secure perimeter fence in place.

“The detainees deemed appropriate for accommodation at the Symonston facility will have access to all facilities, visits and oversight bodies (such Human Rights Commission and Official Visitors), that are available to detainees at the AMC.

“Residents of Griffith, Narrabundah, Red Hill and Symonston have been informed of the possible changes to the operation of the facility via a recent mail-out,” said Mr Rattenbury.

[Photo, the Alexander Maconochie Centre]

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