Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre opens its gates
Published Friday, 08 August, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
In a first for North Queensland, the prison gates at the new $130 million Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre (TWCC) will be opened to the public this weekend for two community open days.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said thousands of people are expected to take advantage of the opportunity to see what life is like behind the razor wire.
“Once a prison is operational it is just not possible to have these sorts of open days.
“So this is a rare chance for people to see what a modern correctional facility is really like and perhaps to dispel some prison myths.
“I would also encourage people considering a career in corrective services to visit the centre.
“Visitors will get to enter a cell and learn about the types of rehabilitation and educational programs we provide.
“Later this year we will continue recruitment for the expanded Townsville Correctional Centre – so this weekend is a chance to see that correctives can really be a rewarding occupation,” Ms Spence said.
Townsville Correctional Centre General Manager John Harrison said: “The $130 million facility is setting international benchmarks in the secure and humane containment of offenders.
“The will be Queensland’s second stand alone women’s correctional facility, housing up to 154 offenders.
“The new TWCC is part of a massive infrastructure upgrade for correctional facilities in north Queensland, with the neighbouring Townsville Correctional Centre also undergoing a $142.5 million refurbishment and expansion, scheduled for completion early next year,” Mr Harrison said.
The gates will open for this weekend’s open days at 10am this Saturday (August 9) and Sunday (August 10).
Parking will be at the North Queensland Field Days site, off the Bruce highway at the Townsville Correctional Centre farm facility. Shuttle buses will run continuously to the centre.
The last tour of the day will leave the carpark at 3:30pm.
The full tour, including the bus ride to and from the centre, will take about 45 minutes.
Cameras and recording devices will not be permitted inside the centre. Visitors are also asked to wear covered shoes.
Entry to the centre will be by gold coin donation with money raised going back to Angel Flight – a charity that provides non-emergency flights for financially and medically needy people.
More information is available at www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – 3239 6172
QCS Media and Communications Unit – 3239 3945
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said thousands of people are expected to take advantage of the opportunity to see what life is like behind the razor wire.
“Once a prison is operational it is just not possible to have these sorts of open days.
“So this is a rare chance for people to see what a modern correctional facility is really like and perhaps to dispel some prison myths.
“I would also encourage people considering a career in corrective services to visit the centre.
“Visitors will get to enter a cell and learn about the types of rehabilitation and educational programs we provide.
“Later this year we will continue recruitment for the expanded Townsville Correctional Centre – so this weekend is a chance to see that correctives can really be a rewarding occupation,” Ms Spence said.
Townsville Correctional Centre General Manager John Harrison said: “The $130 million facility is setting international benchmarks in the secure and humane containment of offenders.
“The will be Queensland’s second stand alone women’s correctional facility, housing up to 154 offenders.
“The new TWCC is part of a massive infrastructure upgrade for correctional facilities in north Queensland, with the neighbouring Townsville Correctional Centre also undergoing a $142.5 million refurbishment and expansion, scheduled for completion early next year,” Mr Harrison said.
The gates will open for this weekend’s open days at 10am this Saturday (August 9) and Sunday (August 10).
Parking will be at the North Queensland Field Days site, off the Bruce highway at the Townsville Correctional Centre farm facility. Shuttle buses will run continuously to the centre.
The last tour of the day will leave the carpark at 3:30pm.
The full tour, including the bus ride to and from the centre, will take about 45 minutes.
Cameras and recording devices will not be permitted inside the centre. Visitors are also asked to wear covered shoes.
Entry to the centre will be by gold coin donation with money raised going back to Angel Flight – a charity that provides non-emergency flights for financially and medically needy people.
More information is available at www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – 3239 6172
QCS Media and Communications Unit – 3239 3945