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The demand pressures on the prison system are becoming
unsustainable.
2012–13 forecasts by Corrections Victoria (CV) indicate that by
2016 the male and female prison systems will not have sufficient
capacity to meet increases in prisoner numbers.
A 38 per cent increase in prisoner numbers over the past decade
and a heavy reliance on temporary beds has resulted in the existing
prison infrastructure nearing its capacity limits. Since May 2011,
the male prison system has been operating close to or above 95 per
cent utilisation. The number of prisoners held in police cells in
2012 has reached the highest levels since 2002.
Despite the current state of the prison system, CV has been
active over the past 10 years in planning for growing prisoner
populations, but could improve its forecasting approach. CV’s
long-term planning has included initiatives that would have
alleviated the current overcrowding problems. However, the success
of this planning has been compromised by delays in the construction
of one prison and the funding of a new prison.
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