New Townsville Women’s Prison to boast cutting-edge security systems
Published Friday, 18 July, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence today inspected progress on the new $130 Million Townsville Women’s Prison, which is set for completion by late September.
Ms Spence said: “This new prison will be at the cutting-edge of corrective services facilities around the world.
“As Queensland’s second stand-alone women’s prison, the centre will house up to 154 offenders.
“It will feature the latest security technologies with independent systems such as video, audio, biometrics, staff duress tracking, movement control and perimeter security all integrated into one system.
“We have implemented digital technology, as it is user-friendly and provides the highest level of safety and security for officers.
“The latest in visitor processing and security, the Biometric Identification System (BIS), is also being installed at the prison.
“BIS identifies visitors through finger scans and personal information stored in a database.
“The system scans the finger, looking for key points such as where ridges begin, end, branch-off and merge, to create a mathematical template, or ‘map’.
“BIS allows correctional centre staff to process visitors more efficiently, maintaining the good order of the centre.
“The system is currently being phased in at correctional centres across Queensland and is already operational at Capricornia, Maryborough, Borallon, Brisbane Women’s and Brisbane correctional centres.”
Ms Spence said building works on the prison including services installation and the security management system are rapidly nearing completion.
The facility includes:
• 64 secure cells and 90 residential units;
• Special facilities for prisoners with disabilities;
• A double unit (equivalent to eight beds) for mothers with babies;
• Indigenous meeting place;
• Medical services building;
• Program education building;
• Sentence management building;
• Administration building;
• New gatehouse;
• Central kitchen and bulk store;
• Covered sports hall; and
• Visits facility.
“The centre will include the first mothers and babies accommodation unit outside south-east Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
“This section will consist of two units with four oversized bedrooms in each, accommodating up to eight mothers and their babies.
“Other specialised features include fenced play areas, toys, activities and child-safe fittings such as induction cook-tops in the kitchenettes.
“All cases of children living with their mothers in Queensland Correctional Centres are carefully assessed, to ensure the circumstances offer the best case scenario for both mother and child.
“What people often don’t realise is that living together inside a prison, is sometimes the best outcome for young children, and can provide a more positive up-bringing than life apart on the outside could.
“Women and babies in the unit participate in special programs and activities that provide educational opportunities and play-based bonding.”
Ms Spence said construction of the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre began in mid-2006, and builders together with the Department of Public Works have done an excellent job of progressing this major project.
“Severe wet weather – not uncommon in the tropics – caused some delays to the original construction timetable.
“The integrating and testing of the centre’s intercom system has also proved challenging, but there is no room for cutting corners when it comes to the safety and security of our prisons.
“I congratulate all those involved in the delivery of this new centre, which will provide the region with a modern and secure facility for the humane containment of female offenders.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172
Ms Spence said: “This new prison will be at the cutting-edge of corrective services facilities around the world.
“As Queensland’s second stand-alone women’s prison, the centre will house up to 154 offenders.
“It will feature the latest security technologies with independent systems such as video, audio, biometrics, staff duress tracking, movement control and perimeter security all integrated into one system.
“We have implemented digital technology, as it is user-friendly and provides the highest level of safety and security for officers.
“The latest in visitor processing and security, the Biometric Identification System (BIS), is also being installed at the prison.
“BIS identifies visitors through finger scans and personal information stored in a database.
“The system scans the finger, looking for key points such as where ridges begin, end, branch-off and merge, to create a mathematical template, or ‘map’.
“BIS allows correctional centre staff to process visitors more efficiently, maintaining the good order of the centre.
“The system is currently being phased in at correctional centres across Queensland and is already operational at Capricornia, Maryborough, Borallon, Brisbane Women’s and Brisbane correctional centres.”
Ms Spence said building works on the prison including services installation and the security management system are rapidly nearing completion.
The facility includes:
• 64 secure cells and 90 residential units;
• Special facilities for prisoners with disabilities;
• A double unit (equivalent to eight beds) for mothers with babies;
• Indigenous meeting place;
• Medical services building;
• Program education building;
• Sentence management building;
• Administration building;
• New gatehouse;
• Central kitchen and bulk store;
• Covered sports hall; and
• Visits facility.
“The centre will include the first mothers and babies accommodation unit outside south-east Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
“This section will consist of two units with four oversized bedrooms in each, accommodating up to eight mothers and their babies.
“Other specialised features include fenced play areas, toys, activities and child-safe fittings such as induction cook-tops in the kitchenettes.
“All cases of children living with their mothers in Queensland Correctional Centres are carefully assessed, to ensure the circumstances offer the best case scenario for both mother and child.
“What people often don’t realise is that living together inside a prison, is sometimes the best outcome for young children, and can provide a more positive up-bringing than life apart on the outside could.
“Women and babies in the unit participate in special programs and activities that provide educational opportunities and play-based bonding.”
Ms Spence said construction of the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre began in mid-2006, and builders together with the Department of Public Works have done an excellent job of progressing this major project.
“Severe wet weather – not uncommon in the tropics – caused some delays to the original construction timetable.
“The integrating and testing of the centre’s intercom system has also proved challenging, but there is no room for cutting corners when it comes to the safety and security of our prisons.
“I congratulate all those involved in the delivery of this new centre, which will provide the region with a modern and secure facility for the humane containment of female offenders.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172