SHANE Rattenbury has announced the start of works for $54 million in additional facilities at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC).

“While expansion of the Alexander Maconochie Centre is necessary to address acute accommodation pressures and provide for future demand, I am also committed to pursuing strategies that will limit growth in the need for custodial detention,” Shane said.

“The additional facilities will include two new accommodation units that will provide an improved capability to address separation issues.

“The new facilities have been carefully designed to integrate space to provide programs targeted at addressing offending behaviours and increase safety for both staff and detainees.”

The prison expansion will involve construction of a 56 cell, 80 bed unit for accommodation of mainstream detainees and a 30 bed/cell Special Care Centre for detainees requiring intensive management. The buildings will also include interview rooms that will allow detainees to work one-on-one with case workers and mental health practitioners.