New privately operated prison announced by NT government
The Northern Territory government has announced plans for a new prison that will be built, financed and operated by a private company.
The Northern Territory government has announced plans for a new privately operated prison, to be built and operated by a private company. The prison will include a 1,200-bed men's facility and a 200-bed women's facility. The women's facility will be operated by the Department of Corrections, while the men's facility will be delivered through a Public Private Partnership, with the private partner responsible for design, financing, building, operating, and maintenance of the facility.
The decision comes as the territory's correctional system has been neglected for over a decade, requiring urgent investment to maintain community safety. The Chief Minister emphasized that the government cannot afford to compromise on the quality and safeguards of the correctional system. However, the United Workers Union has criticized the decision, labeling it one of the most reckless corrections policy decisions in the Northern Territory history, arguing that it prioritizes profit over rehabilitation and community safety.
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