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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Prison savings to be spent on inmate industries

SHANE Rattenbury says savings from the AMC’s Accommodation Expansion Project will be used to fund new infrastructure in the AMC to support and enhance detainee industries.

“I am really pleased to announce that the AMC Expansion project is on track to come in at more than $7m under budget and is expected to be completed several months ahead of schedule,” Shane said.

Alexander Maconochie Centre, jail, prison

“Work has been progressing well on the project and, based on the current schedule, we should be ready to open the second facility well before its expected completion date of mid-2016.

“The Government has taken the decision to reallocate the funds saved from the expansion project to develop work industries within the AMC that will help detainees to build work skills to support their rehabilitation and reintegration back into society.

“The first stage in the development of industries capacity will include the expansion of existing laundry facilities at the prison as well as the construction of a bakery facility. The laundry in particular will serve two outcomes – firstly, to provide work opportunities for detainees and secondly, to respond to heightened demand caused by increased detainee numbers.

“A multi-purpose facility will be built adjacent to the AMC oval that will allow ACTCS to relocate existing services and provide a larger activity space for visitor events, pastoral care and recreational activities.

“Combined, these changes will facilitate a better structured day for detainees at the Centre while improving the chances of gaining and retaining employment on release, addressing key concerns raised by the Auditor-General in 2015.”

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