The PSA has continually indicated to the Department for Correctional Services (DCS) and the Government of South Australia that the proposal to centralise the State prison system at the regional location of Murray Bridge will incur excessive and unnecessary costs above that of alternative outer metro locations.

PSA commissioned research has given clear indication the proposal will have ongoing excessive costs and that little or no economic gain will be realised for the region. Research presented to the Minister for Correctional Services and the Treasurer has clearly outlined the proposal will have ongoing excessive costs due to high turn-over of experienced staff, increased cost of infrastructure for the region, (to be borne by the tax payer and the local community), high costs of logistics required to service the location and high cost of relocation and transport of staff, prisoners, visitors and support services.

The proposal will also incur unnecessary excessive initial construction costs due to the regional location of the proposed prison which clearly would be significantly higher than that of an outer metropolitan alternative.

The Treasurer, DCS and Mr Rann have repeatedly ignored requests to reconsider and negotiate a more cost effective and responsible alternative. Therefore the tax payer and the Murray Bridge Community will be forced to bare the excessive costs of the Government's unwillingness to seek a more suitable location to rack pack and stack its prison population.

Please contact PSA Industrial Officer, Wayne Dungey should you have any questions or comments on 8205 3238 or email wkd@cpsu.asn.au

Research commissioned by the PSA can be found on the following link:

http://www.cpsu.asn.au/webnews/Dexter_Review_16_Oct_08.pdf

http://www.cpsu.asn.au/webnews/Final_Report_30_10_08.pdf

The Public Service Association supports an expansion of the current Correctional Facilities based at Murray Bridge after effective and appropriate consultation with its members employed in the region and the community, to provide further job opportunities and development. The PSA does not however support relocating and centralising the bulk of South Australia's prison population to the region, forcing 400 employees to either relocate from their current areas across Adelaide and the outer metropolitan area or travel at least 162 kms per day.

PSA SUPPORTING PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITIES