Justice Minister begins Hakea Prison amalgamation [Audio]

3/7/00
Prison history was made today when Attorney General Peter Foss began the demolition of the eastern wall to Canning Vale Prison.
The removal of the wall will allow for the completion of a single perimeter to the amalgamated site of the existing Canning Vale Prison and the C W Campbell Remand Centre into a single dedicated remand, receival and assessment centre to be called Hakea Prison.
It is believed that this is the first time in the world that two operating maximum security prisons will amalgamate to become one.
Hakea's remand, receival and assessment centre is part of an overall strategy for expansion of prison capacity and structural change.
Hakea will provide a comprehensive assessment process for all newly sentenced male prisoners received into custody in the metropolitan area.
"Hakea Prison will provide a facility with contemporary processes and practices to constructively manage male remand prisoners in the metropolitan area," Mr Foss said.
"The uniform receival process is aimed at improving handling of individuals who are admitted to the prison system by the provision of a standardised reception and orientation process."
The assessment centre will provide a management plan for newly sentenced receivals that will identify issues dealing with offending behaviour and how best to address them.
"I am particularly proud of the dedicated 15-bed crisis care facility which is designed for chronic risk offenders who require more specialised treatment and support interventions than are currently available in the mainstream prison management program," Mr Foss said.
The $26 million Hakea redevelopment has already seen the addition of a 48-cell temporary accommodation unit with a capacity for up to 96 prisoners and two 64-cell permanent accommodation units for 128 prisoners.
Final completion of the perimeter works and amalgamation of the site is expected by October 2000.
Media Contact: Danielle van Kampen - 9321 2222


"There's double significance, this is the first time that two maximum security prisons have been joined together and its always hard to carry out work within a maximum security prison. But to do it in two prisons and join them together is quite remarkable on a world basis." [325kb/15 secs]