- Published:
- Wednesday 25 February 2015
Fulham Correctional Centre at Sale has opened 54 new medium-security prison beds to ease pressure on the prison system.
The 18 three-cell portable accommodation units have generated 40 jobs during construction and 10 prison jobs.
The new beds opened as Victoria’s prison population hit 6500 for the first time in late January.
Prisoners have started moving into the cells, with the beds to be progressively filled over coming weeks.
Each unit includes three self-contained cells designed to be used in a medium-security prison.
With the opening of the new beds, Fulham can now accommodate more than 940 prisoners.
The medium-security Marngoneet Correctional Centre and Loddon Prison have opened similar units in the past year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections, Wade Noonan
“With Victoria’s prison population skyrocketing over the past four years, these beds will help relieve a system under significant pressure.”
“The Andrews Labor Government strongly supports a secure and sustainable prison system that provides prisoners with genuine rehabilitation opportunities and keeps the community safe.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing
“Fulham Correctional Centre remains an important source of local employment and economic development in the Gippsland region.”