The site selected to house Tasmania’s new prison in state’s north to be known soon

The location of Tasmania’s new prison to be built in the state’s north should be known in the coming weeks — but stage one won’t be operational for a number of years.

Corrections Minister Elise Archer. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

NORTHERN Tasmanians should learn where the State Government will build its new prison by the end of the month — but stage one is unlikely to be operational by late 2022 as first planned.

In June, Corrections Minister Elise Archer said 10 potential sites were being assessed.

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Yesterday, Ms Archer said the government would undertake community consultation on a preferred location by the end of this month.

“Stage one construction will be completed within five years of commencement, with the allocation of $150 million to house 140 prisoners,” she said.

Stage two will see the prison house 270.

The government’s original proposal was for the first stage to be operational by late 2022 but the five-year-completion-framework puts that timing in doubt.

Almost half of the inmates at Risdon Prison, near Hobart, are from Tasmania’s north.

“Their families and support networks may have to travel far to visit them in Risdon and may not be able to do so regularly,” the government said when it announced a new prison would be built.

“Access to these networks while in prison is valuable and is known to reduce the number of people who reoffend and return to prison, Building a new prison in the north of Tasmania will improve access to family and support for inmates.”