Cost of crime crackdown criticised as Victoria prepares for influx of prisoners with huge jail spend

Jacinta Allan announces $727m expansion of prison system as data shows rise in remand numbers after ‘tough new bail laws’ introduced

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The cost of Victoria’s crime crackdown is beginning to emerge, as the financially strained state government faces criticism over a $727m plan to expand prison capacity as the number of people on remand rises.

The premier, Jacinta Allan, visited the state’s new Western Plains Correctional Centre on Tuesday to announce next week’s state budget would include funding to open nearly 1,000 new adult prison beds and 88 youth justice beds, along with hundreds of new corrections staff.

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