Jacinta Allan announces 300 new prison guard jobs for Geelong

The state government has announced 300 new jobs for locals such as Torquay’s Nina Harris as part of a $700m spend on prisons, but the opposition says the plan doesn’t stack up.

Premier Jacinta Allan speaking with the media at Western Plains Correctional Centre. Picture: Alison Wynd

Hundreds of jobs will be on offer for Geelong residents in the city’s north as part of a $700m funding announcement by the state government, with the opposition claiming the numbers don’t stack up.

Speaking at Lara’s Western Plains Corrections Centre, which is set to officially open later this year, Premier Jacinta Allan alongside Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines announced an additional 300 local jobs, many of whom will be recruited from the area.

“I do sometimes get an overview from the department about the postcode of where staff are coming from,” Mr Erdogan said.

“They’re coming from the broader western region … it’s a large attribute, we’re talking about the fastest growing catchment in the state.”

The 300 jobs will come on top of the 600 initially planned jobs as part of a state government recruiting drive.

New prison office recruit Nina Harris, of Torquay at Western Plains Correctional Centre. Picture: Alison Wynd

Torquay based recruit Nina Harris said she signed up to be a guard as part of that initial campaign.

“Being young, I kind of wanted to go and see if I can make a difference,” Ms Harris said.

“It’s good to be here, because I know that in the past they didn’t always hire younger people, but now they are, which is amazing.”

Ms Harris studied teaching before dropping out during the pandemic, she’s spent the last three years managing a cafe in Torquay.

She then took advantage of the state government’s prison guard incentives advertised earlier in the year, which sees new staff receive a sign on bonus of $8k.

The 24-year-old has already been working in Western Plains while prisoners from nearby Barwon Prison’s Oleria unit populate the prison’s Carlton unit following a suspected carbon monoxide leak.

Premier Jacinta Allan at Western Plains Correctional Centre with prison officials and police minister Anthony Carbines and corrections minister Enver Erdogan. Picture: Alison Wynd

Premier Jacinta Allan at Western Plains Correctional Centre meets new recruit Nina Harris. Picture: Alison Wynd

The centre opens officially later this year. Picture: Alison Wynd

“It’s nerve wracking,” Ms Harris said.

“I’m learning on the job, it’s a big process, it’s a lot to learn, but I came off pretty confident.

“They teach all the skills, the tactical training so you know how to defend yourself, it’s really good.”

Also revealed yesterday, almost 100 new beds will be opened in children’s prisons and 300 fast-tracked for adult jails as part of a $700m expansion of the state’s corrections system prompted by the Allan government’s tough new bail laws.

The huge prison package – to be detailed in next week’s state budget – will also fund an estimated 720 new jobs across youth and adult prisons.

Opposition leader Brad Battin slammed the announcement, claiming the $727m leaves the prison system with fewer beds and less capacity than before.

“Only Jacinta Allan and Labor could blow three-quarters of a billion dollars and still deliver fewer beds, less capacity, and more risk to community safety,” Mr Battin said.

“This isn’t investment – it’s a financial and operational disaster dressed up as progress. The public deserves the truth: Labor is out of money, out of ideas, and out of touch.”

Originally published as Jacinta Allan announces 300 new prison guard jobs for Geelong