The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre is a maximum-security Women’s prison based in Victoria’s north-west region of Ravenhall. With the current trend of prisoner number growth over the past 12 months, the Women’s Prison system is projected to have a shortfall of 221 beds by 2023. As part of the 2019‐2020 budget process, the Minister for Corrections sought funding to expand the women’s prison system, particularly for the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC).

The proposed solution to accommodate for the expected growth and support existing infrastructure included:

106 new beds at DPFC comprised of 2x20 bed Management Units and a 66 bed Reception Unit;
Supporting infrastructure including a new Prisoner Reception Building, Program and Recreation Building, including a telecourt and legal/resource area;
temporary medical centre; and
Security elements for this expansion, including perimeter fence and electronic security.

Schedule:

Construction of the 106 beds and supporting infrastructure is expected to commence in July 2020 and reach practical completion in February 2022, with beds operational by March 2022.