NCJ Number
164170
Journal
Key to Commonwealth Corrections Issue: 34 Dated: (Spring 1996) Pages: 5-11
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The government of Victoria is actively pursuing private investment in infrastructure and service delivery through its Infrastructure Investment Policy; the New Prisons Project within the Victorian Department of Justice is an example of the application of this policy.
Abstract
The Project has delivered innovative contractual arrangements with private-sector consortia for the provision of three new prisons for Victoria. Under the New Prisons Project, the contractor provides new facilities and their ongoing maintenance, such that the performance of the facilities is maintained over the life of the prison. The contractors also provide correctional services and programs for the contracted period; they must maintain or enhance the standard of those programs available through traditional public-sector delivery. Further, the contractor assumes all risks of development, ownership, and operation of the physical plant. The contractor also carries the risk of ensuring the ongoing usefulness of the buildings and services in the event of changes in policy, standards, demographics, prisoner mix, and or a need to expand to the nominated capacity. Contractual payments for both the provision of facilities and services are performance-based to specified standards and outcome. This article also outlines the government safeguards designed to ensure that contractors deliver the best possible correctional facilities and services. Contract payments are discussed as well.