Increased Prison Spending in Victoria

Spending on Victorian prisons has increased to $625 million in 2012-13. The spending has hit a record high under the State Government’s tough on crime agenda. The State's inmate population has also increased by almost 12 per cent in the last three years. 

The recently released Productivity Commission’s latest report on government services has revealed this record figure. When compared to the total net operating expenditure and capital costs in 2008/09 of $517 million, there is a remarkable increase. Victorian prisons have also seen an increase from a daily average of 4,299 to 5,120 inmates. This brings a total daily average increase in the past three years by about 534 inmates. 

Corrections Minister Edward O’Donohue asserts that these new figures highlight the Coalition government’s effective management of the corrections system. He argued that while increased, the State’s corrections system was still the lowest in the country at $112.67 per head of population. 

This increase in expenditure has also seen an increase in Victoria’s recidivism rate. The number of released prisoners who return to prison within the last two years has grown from 35.1 per cent to 36.8 per cent. The Jesuit Social Services said that this issue should emphasise to the government that it needs to invest in providing alternative to prison and addressing the disadvantages that lead to criminal behaviour. 

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Spending on Victorian jails hits record high