Published Tuesday, 05 June, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 2:30PM, TUESDAY JUNE 5, 2007 - BUDGET FUNDS MORE BEDS, BETTER SECURITY FOR PRISONS
The 2007-08 State Budget will provide $231 million dollars towards building new prisons to cater for the projected increase in the number of prisoners in Queensland, Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said.
“This is a record budget of $487 million for Queensland Corrective Services which is an increase of $70.8 million or 17 per cent on 2006-07,” Ms Spence said.
“Queensland’s population continues to grow at a rapid rate and the Beattie Government is working hard to ensure we have enough beds for expected increase in prisoner numbers.”
Ms Spence said the budget will also provide $7.7 million to continue the $40 million upgrade of perimeter security at secure correctional centres across the state.
“This will help maintain the Beattie Government’s record of no escapes from secure custody since we came to power in 1998,” Ms Spence said.
Other major projects funded by the budget include:
• $3.5 million for the planning and design of a new correctional precinct in the Gatton district;
• $113.3 million to continue the $142.5 million upgrade of the Townsville Men’s correctional centre;
• $50.4 million for the completion of construction of the $130 million stand alone women’s prison in Townsville;
• $19.9 million for the completion of the $55 million expansion of Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre;
• $44.3 million for the completion of the $110 million redevelopment of the former Sir David Longland Correctional Centre;
• $3.0 million for the planning and design for the expansion of the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre.
Ms Spence said the budget also funds the continued strengthening of Queensland Corrective Services ability to manage and supervise sex offenders in the community.
“We are allocating $4.0 million over four years from 2006-07 on electronic monitoring of sex offenders who are supervised under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act,” Ms Spence said.
“The government is committed to properly managing sex offenders upon their release and the electronic monitoring devices will help Queensland Corrective Services make sure offenders on parole are complying with their conditions.”
Ms Spence said the budget will also fund the governments expansion of its work camp network throughout the state.
“We will spend $544,000 on the operation of a permanent work camp at Innisfail for low security offenders, while $350,000 will be provided to operate a new work camp for low security female offenders at Bowen.”
“This budget continues the Queensland Government’s commitment to managing the state’s growing prison population through the construction of state of the art correctional facilities and ensuring prison security is continually upgraded to prevent escape,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
“This is a record budget of $487 million for Queensland Corrective Services which is an increase of $70.8 million or 17 per cent on 2006-07,” Ms Spence said.
“Queensland’s population continues to grow at a rapid rate and the Beattie Government is working hard to ensure we have enough beds for expected increase in prisoner numbers.”
Ms Spence said the budget will also provide $7.7 million to continue the $40 million upgrade of perimeter security at secure correctional centres across the state.
“This will help maintain the Beattie Government’s record of no escapes from secure custody since we came to power in 1998,” Ms Spence said.
Other major projects funded by the budget include:
• $3.5 million for the planning and design of a new correctional precinct in the Gatton district;
• $113.3 million to continue the $142.5 million upgrade of the Townsville Men’s correctional centre;
• $50.4 million for the completion of construction of the $130 million stand alone women’s prison in Townsville;
• $19.9 million for the completion of the $55 million expansion of Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre;
• $44.3 million for the completion of the $110 million redevelopment of the former Sir David Longland Correctional Centre;
• $3.0 million for the planning and design for the expansion of the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre.
Ms Spence said the budget also funds the continued strengthening of Queensland Corrective Services ability to manage and supervise sex offenders in the community.
“We are allocating $4.0 million over four years from 2006-07 on electronic monitoring of sex offenders who are supervised under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act,” Ms Spence said.
“The government is committed to properly managing sex offenders upon their release and the electronic monitoring devices will help Queensland Corrective Services make sure offenders on parole are complying with their conditions.”
Ms Spence said the budget will also fund the governments expansion of its work camp network throughout the state.
“We will spend $544,000 on the operation of a permanent work camp at Innisfail for low security offenders, while $350,000 will be provided to operate a new work camp for low security female offenders at Bowen.”
“This budget continues the Queensland Government’s commitment to managing the state’s growing prison population through the construction of state of the art correctional facilities and ensuring prison security is continually upgraded to prevent escape,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287