Current Work

New Risdon Prison Kitchen

The Department is pleased to advise that the new kitchen at the Risdon Prison site has reached practical completion. This achievement represents a significant milestone in strengthening our Corrections system and enhancing operational capability.

The new kitchen will replace the existing facility within the Ron Barwick Prison, which has been in operation for more than six decades. This upgrade will help operational and logistical challenges faced by the Tasmania Prison Service (TPS) catering team, providing a contemporary, fit-for-purpose kitchen, bakery and training spaces designed for efficiency and safety.

Importantly the new kitchen includes:

• Optimised operational flow for improved efficiency
• Dedicated training spaces to support vocational education
• A larger primary functional area for meal preparation
• Modern kitchen equipment to enhance safety and reduce manual handling risks.
• With the capacity to produce up to 1,000 meals per day, the kitchen will ensure the provision of nutritious meals for inmates across the prison system.

Beyond its operational benefits, the new kitchen plays a vital role in prisoner rehabilitation. It will provide up to 50 employment positions for minimum-security male prisoners, with flexibility to expand to other cohorts in the future. These roles offer prisoners the chance to gain practical skills, recent work experience, and trade training which are key factors in preparing for work release and successful reintegration into the community.

Stable employment opportunities such as these deliver tangible benefits for prisoners who have completed intervention programs, creating a safe environment to practise learned skills and build confidence for life beyond custody.

With construction complete, the Tasmania Prison Service is now leading the operational commissioning and transition phase. Bakery operations are expected to move into the new facility early in the New Year, with full kitchen operations anticipated to commence by March 2026.

New Maximum Security Unit (Correa Unit)

The Government has committed funding to deliver a new maximum-security unit on the Risdon Prison site. The Minister for Corrections and Rehabilitation approved the naming of the new Maximum Security Unit as the Correa Unit.

The new Correa unit is a dedicated programs unit that will help improve operational flexibility and alleviate accommodation pressures that exist for the highest classification of prisoners. It will also further enhance the TPS’s capabilities to deliver rehabilitation and reintegration programs to this cohort through expanded activities, training and education spaces.

The Department of Justice has appointed Xsquared Architects as the successful architectural team for the design of project.

Xsquared commenced officially on the project on 21 October 2024 and together with the Strategic Infrastructure Projects Team is working with key stakeholders for the project to ensure the design for the new unit and associated spaces meet contemporary standards and TPS operational requirements.

Subject to all relevant project approvals, it is anticipated that construction on the Correa Unit and associated facilities will commence early 2027 and be completed by mid-2028, noting there will be complex construction challenges associated with building in an operational prison environment.

Electronic Security Systems Upgrade Program

The Tasmanian Government are investing to upgrade and replace a number of the Electronic Security Systems (ESS) at the Risdon Prison site, with contemporary technology in line with best practice.

The Program also includes the upgrade of the Mobile Radio Communications System and Mobile Duress Alarm System on the Risdon Prison site.

These important upgrades will enhance the existing security systems as well as improve the safety of the prison environment which will benefit staff, prisoners and visitors and other key stakeholders.

In June 2025 the Department of Justice appointed BSH Electrical Pty Ltd as the successful contractor for the supply, installation and maintenance of the replacement security systems.

BSH have extensive experience in security system installation and configuration and have been involved in a variety of current and past maintenance and upgrade programs for a number of the State’s correctional facilities.

BSH and Hansen Yuncken have now commenced works on site. The Program is expected to be complete mid-2027.

Risdon Prison – Critical Infrastructure Maintenance Upgrades

In the 2020-21 State Budget, the Department was allocated $9.03 million over 4 years (commencing in 2021-22) for critical infrastructure upgrades and the replacement of equipment at facilities on the Risdon Prison site.

The Critical Infrastructure Maintenance Program funding enables the Department to replace some of the plant and equipment that has reached end of life and, in some cases, extend the life of an asset by upgrading or replacing component parts.

Some of the works completed to date include:

• security software upgrades
• lighting replacement
• mechanical upgrades
• toilet upgrades
• hot water system upgrades
• fire panel upgrades
• energised fence component upgrades
• roller door and motor replacement
• UPS battery replacement
• upgrades to split system heat pumps
• replacement of the fascia and gutter on the Hartz Unit in the MHWP
• replacement of fire indicator panels.

The replacement and upgrade of critical plant and equipment is also important in terms of the procurement of a longer-term maintenance contract. The Department is preparing to release a tender for a new longer term maintenance contract in early 2026.

Strategic Asset Management Plan

Developing of a Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) is a key deliverable under the Department of Justice’s Strategic Plan 2022–27. The SAMP will outline the asset management approach for the Department and establish the context for long-term management and decision making throughout the asset lifecycle to ensure that the asset portfolio continues to deliver value to the Tasmanian community and other stakeholders. Work continued in order to advance strategic asset management activities this year. Progress was made across several key initiatives to improve how Tasmania’s justice and correctional facilities are managed. A Department Maturity Assessment rebase - undertaken alongside progressing the implementation of the new Asset Management Information System (AMIS) - showed moderate improvement across several areas. This is expected to accelerate following the full delivery of the AMIS. New Treasury templates and guidelines for SAMP development that align with international guidelines and ISO 55000, have now been issued to all departments. Initial drafting of the Department’s SAMP is underway and should be completed during 2026.

20 Year Infrastructure Strategy

One of the key initiatives highlighted in the Department Justice Strategic Plan 2022-2027 is to develop a 20 year infrastructure strategy. This strategy will update previous infrastructure planning undertaken by the Department and outline the infrastructure needs and priorities for the Department - taking into consideration the impact of current government initiatives and trends in service delivery on prison and court infrastructure. Notably, the strategy will reflect the priorities and initiatives contained within the Strategic Plan for Corrections.

Completed work

Southern Remand Centre & Risdon Prison Complex Upgrades

The Southern Remand Centre is a key infrastructure project that has now been delivered.  The Southern Remand Centre can provide accommodation for up to 156 male remandees, housed in two separate accommodation units with shared recreational spaces and a dedicated health facility.

The Government also provided funding for upgrades to key facilities in the RPC needed to support the new remand centre. These include upgrades to the health clinic, gatehouse, inmate processing and visits centre.

The SRC was commissioned on 29 July 2022 with the initial transfer of remandees from the Hobart Reception Prison and RPC.

For more information about the SRC please visit the project webpage.

Hobart Reception Prison

• The essential maintenance of ductwork at the Hobart Reception Prison was completed in December 2019.
• The electronic security system upgrade was completed in 2021. The new electronic security system upgrade has enhanced the security and safety for staff, inmates and visitors at the prison through the installation of new contraband-control equipment and an upgrade to all major security systems.

O’Hara Cottages extension

• The O’Hara Cottages is a pre-release facility on the Risdon Prison site, which previously housed 16 inmates.
• Work was completed in late 2019 to extend the facility by constructing four additional minimum classification rated cottages, accommodating a further 16 inmates bringing the total accommodation capacity to 32.

Inmate Telephony System Upgrade

• A modern telephone system for inmates in line with contemporary technologies.
• The new telephone system has provided lower call costs and greater access to telephones for inmates.
• The telephone system came online in 2021.

Ron Barwick Prison Upgrades

• The Ron Barwick Prison Upgrades have included a number of improvements to essential correctional infrastructure, including the plumbing and electrical services.
• Most recently a multipurpose facility was commissioned within the existing structure, which will provide inmates and staff with a modern training and education facility.
• Upgrades are now complete to accommodation for inmates with physical and age-related disabilities.

Police Out of Courts Project, Launceston

Phase 2 of the Launceston Police out of Courts Project is now complete, including:

• Construction of a new interview room and upgrades to the holding cells, sally port, officers' station and court security at the Launceston Supreme Court
• Installation of additional CCTV cameras at the Launceston Supreme Court
• Refurbishment of the officers' station, visits areas, staff office and staff amenities at the Launceston Reception Prison

Police Out of Courts Project, Burnie

In August 2021, the Department met the first phase of the Government’s commitment to remove Tasmania Police from court security and offender transport duties at the Burnie Supreme Court, utilising retired police officers as court custody officers on a temporary basis. These officers provided a crucial support role for both the Courts and the Tasmania Prison Service for over 18 months. In March 2023, the escorting functions were fully taken over by Tasmania Prison Services staff.

Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison

These new facilities opened on 21 October 2018:

• Two new 10-bed minimum security units
• A new 5-bed mother and baby unit