Yatala has undergone a multi-million upgrade to increase the safety of staff based at the prison, in Adelaide's north-east, as well as provide opportunities to reduce the likelihood of prisoners reoffending.
Opened in early June, the redevelopment incorporates 270 beds across three communal units, all given Kaurna names, and an operations building.
Two of the units have been designed using a "least-restrictive model" while still maintaining securty and safety. They each feature an open plan communal area, contemporary accommodation and secure living spaces.
The third is a correctional treatment unit, housing therapeutic and rehabilitative accommodation, purpose built to manage offenders with complex needs.
Department of Correctional Services Chief Executive David Brown said the $180 million upgrade was a "significant improvement" to Yatala, which is the state's largest metropolitan prison.
“It has been the department’s key goal to enhance and strengthen prison quality to reduce reoffending,” Mr Brown said.
“I want to commend staff and management at the site for maintaining business continuity throughout the build process.”
The new operations building features:
- Child-friendly visiting rooms that use colour and soft furnishings to provide a less confronting atmosphere.
- A master control room with state-of-the-art security systems that will increase staff and offender safety.
- Secure walkways that provide safe and secure movement between the existing site and the redevelopment.
- Increased capacity to provide legal services and courts audio visual link services to prisoners.
- A commercial kitchen that will provide essential skills and employment opportunities to prisoners.
- An open plan admissions area to improve efficiency of intake and medical assessment of prisoners.
Yatala Labour Prison was opened in 1854 and was previously known as Dry Creek Labour Prison.
