Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts has today officially opened the refurbishment of Australia’s most secure prison, Goulburn’s High Risk Management Correctional Centre.
Mr Roberts said the upgrade is part of a wider $47 million NSW Government investment in countering terrorism and violent extremism.
“Increasing the operational capacity of Supermax from 45 to 75 beds allows Corrective Services NSW to separate convicted terrorists from other inmates, thereby reducing the risk of radicalisation within the prison system,” Mr Roberts said.
“The NSW Government’s investment also included the establishment of a dedicated Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit responsible for the identification, assessment, and monitoring of extremist and national-security-interest offenders in prison.”
The site features a state-of-the-art, fully integrated security management system that now expands across the entire prison precinct and perimeter with new equipment and a new control room. Thisinvestment includes upgrades to electronic security, including CCTV, telephone and audio monitoring, an X-ray machine and walk-through metal detector. There is also a new secure-visits and legal visits area and a separate audio-visual link area.
Corrective Services NSW Acting Commissioner Kevin Corcoran said the refurbishment of Supermax followed the opening in Goulburn in 2019 of High Risk Management Correctional Centre 2.
“The two units provide greater options to manage terrorists safely, securely and efficiently, with Area 2 to eventually operate as a step-down facility for inmates demonstrating a commitment to disengage from radical behaviour,” Mr Corcoran said.
“Area 2 will also provide more therapeutic intervention and access to programs, to aid their rehabilitation.”
Fifty-one Extreme High Risk inmates were securely housed at Area 2 while the upgrade took place.