A Lara prison which has been sitting empty for over 18 months will finally start taking inmates, following the announcement two Victorian prisons will close.
The Western Plains Correctional Centre which was completed in November 2022, will take prisoners from Port Phillip Prison after it closes by the end of next year.
The state government has also announced Dhurringle Prison near Shepparton will also close by this Spetember, with prisoners to be transferred to Beechworth prison.
Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan said Corrections Victoria will work closely with prison operators at Port Phillip over the next 18 months.
“We are delivering better facilities for people in custody, a safer working environment for our staff and a safer community for Victorians,” he said.
“I want to thank our staff at Dhurringile and G4S staff at Port Phillip Prison for the vital work they do every day in keeping people in custody and the community safe.
Staff at Port Phillip will be offered redundancy packages, or have the chance to take up new roles as part of a state government recruitment drive for the Western Plains facility.
“They will be supported during this transition and be provided opportunities to take up new roles,” Mr Erdogan said.
The $1.1 billion Lara facility sits just behind Barwon Prison and can house over 1200 inmates.
