No. 38

SET UP FUNDING GETS THE MACONOCHIE CENTRE GOING

The Stanhope Government has provided $2.97 million in the 2006-07 Budget for set-up costs for the new ACT prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

These one-off funds will be distributed over two years -  $500,000 in 2006-07 and $2.47 million in 2007‑08.  The set up costs are not new or additional costs, but were part of the original project budget in 2003. 

The funding will ensure the staged and comprehensive training of additional corrections staff, both uniformed and non-uniformed, and the purchase and stocking of consumables, including uniforms, prisoner clothing, supplies and stores and emergency response equipment. 

With this set-up funding, ACT Correctives Services will be able to ensure there is a sound foundation in place for the commissioning of the Alexander Maconochie Centre which will permit the Stanhope Government and community to bring an end to the current unsatisfactory arrangements for accommodating the ACT’s sentenced and remanded prisoners.    

Attorney-General Simon Corbell said the ongoing costs of accommodating ACT prisoners in the new prison will be no more than the current costs of the remand centres and NSW prison costs combined.  

“The ACT community stands to benefit from the greater focus on rehabilitation and reintegration that the Alexander Maconochie Centre will provide,’’ Mr Corbell said.