Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre near Gatton to open in late 2024 to ease strain on Qld prison system

Bigger than 16 Suncorp stadiums combined, metal bar free and featuring cells with “good lighting” and extensive health and job opportunities this is jail reimagined - and it could be full from the very start. DETAILS, VIDEO.

Queensland’s newest super-sized 1500-inmate correctional centre in the Lockyer Valley could well be substantially filled from the day it opens, as the government tries to ease pressure on the state’s overloaded prison system.

The fit-out has begun on the $885m Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, a high-security men’s prison outside Gatton that has been touted as a “purpose-built” facility focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Corrective services minister Nikki Boyd on Saturday took a tour of the complex, which stretches over a massive campus the size of more than 16 Suncorp Stadiums.

A look inside the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, which is under construction for the Queensland Government by contractor John Holland.

The facility features about 30,000 cubic metres of concrete, 11km of fencing, 34km of razor wire and more than 1800 doors.

It is estimated as many as 800 people will work at the prison, while the construction phase under contractor John Holland has supported more than 700 jobs.

Ms Boyd’s visit also took guests inside the secure wing of the prison, which will house some of the state’s worst offenders.

The facilities include cells with no bars, individual showers and quality lighting, with reinforced glass instead of pure metal for infrastructure like beds and seats.

A look inside the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, which is under construction for the Queensland Government by contractor John Holland. Corrective Services Minister Nikki Boyd tours the facility ahead of its opening later in 2024.

Asked if the state’s current overcrowding meant a new jail would be full from day one, Ms Boyd acknowledged the strain Queensland’s existing facilities were under amid reports of prisoners having to “triple up” in cells but stopped short of saying either way.

“It is essential right now as we see more prisoners in our prisons than we have additional room for and (want them to) be dealt with in a rehabilitative way,” she said.

A look inside the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, which is under construction for the Queensland Government by contractor John Holland.

“We’ve got pressures on our prison population right across the state, our facilities are full so we do need more correctional facilities and this is a needed facility.

“We’ve got pressures right across the system, this is a needed facility and it’s one that will come in usefully.

“It’s one we’re keen to maximise as soon as it’s ready to go.”

Ms Boyd also defended increases to the cost of the project after John Holland revealed the delivery date would be delayed by several months to the second half of this year.

“We’ve got more people who will be housed here than was originally anticipated (and) we’ve also made upgrades to the technology and the safety,” she said.

“We’ve got a 0.5 per cent contingency in the budget right now for any potential overspend and we’ve seen some small changes in the time frame around this project due to wet weather that’s occurred over the summer period.

“We’re not going to compromise safety through this build, so if that means we need to spend a couple of extra dollars and it takes a couple of extra weeks, that’s something we’ll be investing in.

“At the end of the day, community safety is paramount and that’s the purpose for building this facility.”

“I continually say I’m probably the only mayor in Queensland that says it’s fantastic (to have a prison near us),” she said.

“It is a transformational project — the community is very excited and has been excited for the past few years.

“It’s all about opportunities for employment and for businesses — it’s nice to walk down the street and hear people say they’ve graduated from (correctional services) training.”

Rehabilitative approach to new prison

A look inside the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, which is under construction for the Queensland Government by contractor John Holland. Corrective Services Minister Nikki Boyd and QCS acting deputy commissioner Adam Black tour the facility ahead of its opening later in 2024.

The new 1500-bed prison outside Gatton will take a rehabilitative approach to inmates, with education, training and job opportunities offered as part of its services.

Queensland Corrective Services acting deputy commissioner Adam Black said recruitment had been “progressing well” to fill the more than 800 jobs required at the new Lockyer Valley high-security prison.

Along with guards and other correctional officers, Mr Black said the facility would need an extensive range of health, social work and education professionals.

“The services delivered will include mental health services, normal general health, rehabilitation and of course educational services,” he said.

“The philosophy of the prison is one around rehabilitation, so research has shown where you would have a facility with open spaces, light in combination with life and rehabilitation opportunities, it encouraged better behaviours and also better outcomes.

“We will be employing over 800 people in this facility, we are progressing very well (with recruitment).”

Originally published as Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre near Gatton to open in late 2024 to ease strain on Qld prison system