Tuesday, 2 May 2023

Ministers statements: Dame Phyllis Frost Centre

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (13:57): I rise today to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s investments in our corrections system. Women make up a small proportion of our corrections system in Victoria, but we know how important it is that facilities and services are specifically designed for women. Last month I had the pleasure of officially opening new and upgraded facilities at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. This makes it a better place for corrections officers to work and a better place for women to get the help they need to turn their lives around. Our $189 million investment and upgrade has delivered 106 new beds that will replace outdated accommodation units, a new reception area that will make the transition into custody easier, new multipurpose buildings for education and rehabilitation programs and expanded legal and telecourt facilities.

These new and upgraded facilities are the first of their kind in Australia and have been designed with trauma-informed principles. That means that the spaces make use of natural light, curves and different colour palettes to make the process the least trauma inducing as possible. We know that many women that enter our justice system have experienced trauma before entering the criminal justice system. The facilities include more shared spaces and private areas for women to engage with professional service providers. There is new technology that will make entering custody less traumatic for women. It includes dedicated spaces to enhance cultural safety for Aboriginal woman. These new and upgraded facilities will make it safer and easier for our hardworking corrections staff and partners to provide the services women need, because we know that is good for everybody.