About the Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison
The Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison forms part of the Risdon Prison Complex.
This facility accommodates female prisoners and remandees. The facility also has a Mother Baby Unit, where a mother can continue to care for her child while in custody.
Improving facilities for women
The prison has recently been upgraded to:
- accommodate the growing female inmate population, and
- better care for ageing and disabled inmates.
A new, 5-bed Mother Baby Unit has been built, to accommodate more inmates and their children. This unit includes a crèche and an outdoor play area. The unit is wheelchair accessible.
Two newly-built accommodation units add 20 more beds to the the Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison. One of these units is wheelchair accessible.
Remembering Dr Vanessa Goodwin
The late Attorney General and Minister for Corrections, the Hon. Dr Vanessa Goodwin MLC, was a strong advocate for improving correctional facilities and outcomes.
The units are named the Dr Vanessa Goodwin Cottages, in her memory.
Latest news
The new buildings were officially opened on 21 October 2018.
View photos of the opening and of the facility in the image gallery.
Read an ABC News article (external link) about the Dr Vanessa Goodwin Cottages.