Victoria’s worst terrorists, sex pests and violent offenders to be house in new detention unit

Victoria’s most dangerous sex pests, terrorists and violent offenders deemed to pose an unacceptable risk of reoffending after serving their time in prison will be housed in a new Lara detention unit.

VICTORIA’S most dangerous sex pests, terrorists and violent offenders deemed to pose an unacceptable risk of reoffending after serving their time in prison will be housed in a new Lara detention unit.

The $21 million, 10-bed Piper Detention Unit will be used to house serious terrorists and violent and sex offenders who are deemed to pose an unacceptable risk of reoffending if released into the community after completing prison terms.

The facility is the latest addition to Barwon Prison.

Under the State Government’s post-sentence scheme the Supreme Court can detain serious sex offenders and serious violent offenders for up to three years after they have served their time. The court also has options to renew the detention after that time.

Victorian Corrections Minister Ben Carroll said the new Piper Detention Unit would house offenders deemed an unacceptable risk upon released, who could not be managed by a supervision order.

“This is about helping protect Victorians from the most serious sex and violent offenders who pose an unacceptable risk of reoffending — even after they have completed their sentence,” Mr Carroll said.

“These are nation-leading reforms that are about managing our most serious offenders in a safe environment.”

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The Piper unit will have the capacity to house convicted terrorists under the Federal Government’s continuing detention scheme.

The Herald Sun has reported terror plot chief Nacer Benbrika is likely to be one of the first residents placed in the unit once his time in Barwon Prison is served.

Benbrika’s maximum 15-year term — handed down for a plot to launch a terrorist attack that discussed bombing the MCG or Crown casino — ends next year.

The Herald Sun reported it understood Benbrika has refused to take deradicalisation programs while in prison.

Education opportunities and vocational training will be made available to those detained in the unit, in an effort to assist in their rehabilitation.

Originally published as Victoria’s worst terrorists, sex pests and violent offenders to be house in new detention unit