Today marks the opening of a $180 million redevelopment at Yatala Labour Prison.

The new build adds 270 high-security beds to the system and consists of the Karra (meaning “red gum”), Kortee (meaning “quandong”) and Mirnu (meaning “golden wattle”) units, as well as an Operations Building that services the units.

The Karra and Kortee units establish an open, landscaped, contemporary accommodation environment, combining state-of-the-art secure living spaces with an engaging, open plan communal area. The design philosophy centres on a least-restrictive model while still maintaining security and safety.

The Mirnu units are correctional treatment units, providing best practice therapeutic and rehabilitative accommodation, purpose built for managing offenders with complex needs in safe and secure accommodation.

The modern, multi-purpose Operations Building features:
*New family-centred and child-friendly domestic visits rooms. The open plan design provides a less confronting atmosphere using colour and soft furnishings.
*A new master control room with state-of-the-art security systems that will increase staff and offender safety.
*Secure walkways and movement control station that provide efficient, safe and secure movement that links the existing site with the redevelopment.
*Increased capacity to provide legal services and courts Audio Visual Link (AVL) services to prisoners.
*A new commercial kitchen that will service the new redevelopment and existing site while providing essential skills and employment opportunities to prisoners.
*An open plan admissions area that delivers efficient intake and medical assessment of prisoners.

Quotes

Attributable to Joe Szakacs

The opening of the new Karra, Koortee and Mirnu units, as well as the new Operations Building, represents a significant investment in the safety of the South Australian community.

The $180 million capital works project and redevelopment has created jobs for South Australians and most importantly, jobs in Corrections.

This is a new facility firmly designed and constructed to support the governments ambitious goal to reduce recidivism and reoffending by creating contemporary facilities.

The new infrastructure provides many new opportunities and benefits for Yatala, the staff who work there, and those persons in custody there.

Attributable to DCS Chief Executive David Brown

These additions represent a significant improvement to the state’s largest metropolitan prison.  

It has been the Department’s key goal to enhance and strengthen prison quality to reduce reoffending.

I want to commend staff and management at the site for maintaining business continuity throughout the build process.