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Dhurringile Prison to close after nearly 60 years, prompting economic and employment concerns
The forthcoming closure of the Dhurringile Prison is set to have far-reaching implications, notably for the prison staff and the region’s local economy.
In a significant announcement, the Victorian Government confirmed that the 59-year-old Dhurringile Prison will close, with about 70 inmates being moved to Beechworth minimum-security prison.
Staff will be offered jobs at other correctional facilities or redundancy packages.
“I want to thank our staff at Dhurringile and G4S staff at Port Phillip Prison for the vital work they do every day in keeping people in custody and the community safe,” Minister for Corrections Enver Erdogan said.
“They will be supported during this transition and be provided opportunities to take up new roles.”
The Community and Public Sector Union stressed the need for enough transition time for affected employees, especially due to Dhurringile's regional location and the challenges in finding new jobs.
Community and Public Sector Union Victorian secretary Karen Batt said job security for G4S officers is crucial.
“There’s plenty of vacancies across the whole correctional system and a need to pull together a full job complement for the new Western Plains prison with plenty of lead time,” she said.
The closure aligns with the government’s transition to the new high-tech Western Plains prison, which requires about 600 staff and features advanced security systems such as AI-driven CCTV, as well as improved inmate training and job opportunities.
However, according to Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell - who said the 160 employees at the prison learned the news this morning - the closure of Dhurringile Prison could cause a major economic setback for the local community, affecting suppliers and businesses that provide goods and services to the prison.
Concerns and criticisms were also raised among the public due to the government’s failure to consult the local community before making this decision.
As discussions and plans unfold, the community eagerly awaits further details on how the government intends to minimise the economic and social impacts of the closure of Dhurringile Prison, including preserving the historic Dhurringile Mansion.