Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis today inspected the latest milestone project in the Liberal National Government's prison expansion program, Melaleuca Women's Remand and Reintegration Facility in Canning Vale.
"The $24.3 million prison, which received its first prisoners earlier this week, is the first expansion of the women's prison estate in more than 10 years and will significantly ease pressure at Bandyup Women's Prison," Mr Francis said.
"The opening of the new 254-bed facility is another example of this Government's focus on addressing a rising prison population, and follows the opening of the new 350-bed Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison and a major expansion of Acacia Prison."
Melaleuca's operator, Sodexo, will work with non-government organisations to deliver a range of services designed to help women live stable and productive lives when they return to the community.
Sodexo will receive incentive payments if it can reduce reoffending rates and will have a specific focus on implementing programs to assist Aboriginal women.
"Melaleuca is the latest corrective services contract with the private sector delivering innovation, efficiency and value for money," the Minister said.
"When combined with Serco's contract extension at Acacia and Broadspectrum's court security and custodial services contract, this represents a saving to WA taxpayers of $144 million over the next five years."
Fact File
The Melaleuca services contract is $35 million less than the public sector operating comparison and will provide additional services
The extended contract for the operation of Acacia Prison has been achieved for $55 million less than the previous contract
Broadspectrum's court security and custodial services contract delivers more services for $54 million less than the previous contract
Minister's office - 6552 6500
