There will be a total of 289 new mens accommodation beds, made up of 93 maximum and 196 medium beds. There is internal capacity for future expansion if required.
Approximately 120 beds in the existing prison will be refurbished for minimum security.
Following the PIRP Stage C project, the Tasmanian prison system will have the capacity to accommodate 736 inmates and the secure mental health unit can accommodate a further 35 people.
The new womens facility will incorporate the existing womens prison and the nearby cottage building that has been used as a training facility.
The compound will be much bigger than the current facility. New facilities will also be built within this area.
The new womens prison will house up to 45 women and includes:
The SMHU will have 35 beds and will provide a high level of security. While it is a secure environment, the SMHU will be able to provide the specialist treatment required for people who are mentally ill.
The mens prison kitchen will remain located in the existing mens prison and will be operated by minimum-security prisoners. It will prepare the meals for all male inmates.
Food for prisoners in the new mens prisons will be delivered to and eaten in the accommodation blocks. Breakfast and lunch will be pre-packed meals. A hot meal will be served in the evenings.
The womens prison will continue to produce its own meals.
A staff dining facility is being built in the new mens facility. Staff will be able to bring in their own meals.
Staff at the womens prison and the secure mental health unit have their own dining facilities.
A central education building in the mens max/medium security prison will be provided as well as smaller program spaces and interview rooms in the maximum-security accommodation units.
Within the womens prison there will be areas set aside for the delivery of programs.
Two workshops will be built as part of this stage in the new mens prison. One will operate as a laundry and the functtion of the other is yet to be decided. Workshops in the existing mens prison will continue to be operated by minimum-security prisoners.
Areas in the womens prison will be set aside for the delivery of programs and industries.
A health centre in the new mens prison will provide outpatient health services and a 6-bed inpatient unit. There will be a health clinic facility in the womens prison.
External lights for the new prisons will be sodium lighting. These are yellowish coloured lights, which will produce about the same amount of light as a shopping centre car park. The lights will be pointed towards the ground.
