All 160 cells at the Adelaide Remand Centre (ARC) have now been upgraded to safe-cell compliant standard following an intensive four month renovation.
The $3.2 million cell upgrade was essential for the facility where many people find themselves in prison for the first time and the risk of self-harm can be high.
The Marshall Government took the ARC to market following the September 2018 State Budget and called on interested parties to submit a proposal for the much-needed cell upgrade.
Serco was awarded the contract to operate the facility on the strength of that proposal and the completion of this upgrade on time and on schedule marks a major milestone in their management of the ARC and ensuring the maintenance of a safe and secure facility.
It cost around $20,000 for each cell to be bought in line with safe-cell standards by removing all ligature points and now the work is complete, all eight units in the remand centre are operational and ready for remandee intake.
The transition of the ARC to Serco management is saving taxpayers around $8 million per year.
Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services Corey Wingard said this upgrade brings the ARC in line with contemporary remand facilities.
"In the 2018 State Budget, this government invested $200 million to expand the Northfield Precinct with 270 high security beds at Yatala Labour Prison and 40 high security beds to be commissioned at the Adelaide Women's Prison, all of them will also be to safe-cell standard," the Minister said.
"We are committed to ensuring that across the State, our public prisons are at the top of their game when it comes to service delivery, safety and security."
Acting ARC General Manager Steven Duncan said the cell upgrade was completed in a way that minimised disruption at the facility.
"Serco worked closely with The Department for Correctional Services to ensure all staff and prisoner safety and security was considered during the works."
Acting DCS Chief Executive Jackie Bray said Serco's management of the work was exceptional.
"Performance conditions relating to safety, security and reoffending, have been written into Serco's contract for management of the ARC," Ms Bray said.
"DCS continues to closely monitor Serco's management of the ARC against a number of key performance indicators."
