Riverbank Prison to close

28/8/01
Justice Minister Jim McGinty today announced plans to close Riverbank Prison - a small medium-security facility in Caversham.
Mr McGinty said the prison was in very poor condition and would have required significant renovations to address problems ranging from unsuitable accommodation design through to unsafe wiring and a lack of proper heating and cooling facilities.
While the previous Government announced last year that it intended to keep the prison open, the Minister said it failed to provide any funding in Treasury forward estimates beyond June 2001, and it was not viable to try to fund it now.
He said a report by the Inspector of Custodial Services, Professor Richard Harding, which was tabled in Parliament today, had also raised concerns with the prison.
This included the substantial costs involved in running the small prison, which houses just 50 prisoners, as well as the extra capital needed to refurbish and redevelop it to acceptable standards.
Originally a juvenile detention centre, Riverbank was closed in 1997, but re-opened the following year as an adult prison in response to overcrowding.
Its primary role today is catering for at-risk prisoners and those with intellectual disabilities. Both groups will be accommodated in other prisons which can cater to their specific needs on a more cost-effective basis.
Mr McGinty acknowledged that Professor Harding had recommended at the recent community drug summit that Riverbank could become a specialist drug-free prison.
"While I strongly support the concept of a specialist drug-free prison, the poor conditions at Riverbank and high cost of refurbishment are prohibitive, and I will be examining other alternatives to progress this concept," he said.

The Minister said the Department of Justice would ensure proper plans for the placement of all prisoners - particularly those with intellectual disabilities - were in place prior to their transfer.
"The mainstream prison system will also benefit from the return of Riverbank staff and their specialised skills," he said.
It is intended that the prison will close in December this year.
Media contact: Amanda O'Brien on 9220 5000