New units opened at Hakea prison

8/2/00
Hakea Prison in Canning Vale became Western Australia's biggest public prison today when Attorney General Peter Foss opened two new accommodation units.
The units cost $6.5 million and provide Hakea Prison with another 128 cells and lift its capacity to 690 beds.
Mr Foss said the new units provided needed accommodation and were integral to the Ministry's strategy to enhance prisoner management systems.
"The State Government made a commitment to put in place a strategy to meet the demand for prison accommodation and to make better use of its existing facilities," Mr Foss said.
"As part of this strategy $25.6 million has been allocated to complete modifications to create the new Hakea Prison.
"The integration and improvement of facilities and management systems will create a dedicated remand, receival and assessment facility for prisoners awaiting sentence or newly-sentenced and about to be transferred to another facility.
"This will enable better early assessment of prisoners and the development of education, training and clinical services to meet their needs."
Capital works at Hakea include a new reception centre, health centre, gatehouse in a new location, and visits facility as well as the new permanent accommodation units.
The final works will see the prison and the C.W. Campbell Remand Centre physically joined to form one perimeter around the entire complex.
"The two new units each have 64-cells and will each house 72 prisoners when they become fully operational by the end of this month," Mr Foss said.
"Purpose built rooms will be used to deliver a variety of programs to be held in the units for prisoners. This will enable prison officers to be involved in supporting program aims."
The units were built by Builders BGC with prisoners also assisting.
"Prisoners played an important role and saved the Ministry of Justice and taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars," Mr Foss said.
"Prisoners in the metal, paint and cabinet shops, guided by instructors, built and installed furniture for the new units including beds, wardrobes, brackets, shelving, pin boards and fencing panels."
A feature of the units is the landscaped prisoner association area designed as a multicultural meeting place for prisoners.
"The association area is the first of many which can be used by prisoners as both a meeting place and an outdoors program area," the Minister said.
"It includes a granite boulder with artwork by Peter Gelencser which reflects the role of the prison.
"Titled 'Life's road is our choice', it depicts hands to symbolise the help and guidance given to prisoners to help them when they return to the community."
Media contact: John Clune 9213 6500