A new prison is a step closer to being built in Melbourne’s west, with the state government selecting a company to construct the correctional facility.
Corrections Minister Edward O’Donohue said the GEO Consortium – which comprises GEO Group Australia, John Holland, Honeywell and Capella Capital – had been chosen to build the 1000-bed prison at Ravenhall.
Mr O’Donohue said he was confident the consortium would deliver a “modern, innovative facility”.
“This project will … drive a stronger justice system by helping to ease demand on the state’s corrections system,” he said. “It also represents a much-needed investment in mental health services and will more than double the number of specialist beds available to prisoners with mental health issues.”
Construction of the medium-security prison is expected to create more than 650 jobs. Once open, the prison will provide 600 jobs.
As part of their building contract, the GEO Consortium will be required to source at least 85 per cent of the materials and services used to build the prison locally.
The prison will be built next to the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Truganina. Construction is expected to start next year.
