Victoria’s Port Phillip Prison to Close, Inmates to be Transferred to New Lara Facility

Victoria’s long-operating maximum security facility, Port Phillip Prison, is set to shut its doors by the end of next year, with inmates being relocated to the newly constructed Western Plains Correctional Centre in Lara, north-east of Geelong.

The announcement, made by the Allan government, revealed that the $1.1 billion Western Plains facility, part of the Barwon Prison precinct, will begin accommodating prisoners in mid-2025 after completing major construction works.

Port Phillip Prison, managed by global security company G4S, has been operational since September 1997 in Truganina, Melbourne’s western region, making it the largest maximum-security prison in Victoria.

The decision to close Port Phillip comes following recent incidents, including a coronial inquiry into a prisoner’s death and the suspension of prison officers, prompting the government to exercise its right to terminate the contract.

As Port Phillip’s closure looms, around 800 employees will be transferred to other maximum-security prisons or offered redundancy packages, with an estimated 600 new positions opening up at the Western Plains facility.

Further, the government announced the closure of Dhurringile Prison, located near Shepparton, with plans to transfer its inmates to a different facility near Beechworth.

G4S Australia, the operator of Port Phillip Prison, assured a smooth closure process and expressed gratitude to staff and partners for their dedication in maintaining public safety. Similarly, the Community and Public Sector Union emphasized the importance of job security for affected prison workers.

Opposition corrections spokesman Brad Battin criticized the government for the delay in opening the Western Plains facility, noting the significant operational costs incurred while the prison remains idle.