Extra 1,000 prison beds announced in NSW as union warns against arresting ‘our way out of domestic violence’

A major expansion of Sydney’s Silverwater jail is underway, with the state government allocating nearly $47 million to reactivate a portion of the facility to accommodate hundreds of additional prisoners amid a sharp rise in those held on remand. The move comes as domestic violence bail reforms have contributed to the growing backlog, raising concerns among prison officers who argue that incarceration alone won’t address violent behavior. Officials say the 515-bed section of the Dawn de Loas correctional centre will reopen early next year to ease overcrowding in the system. Critics warn that relying solely on arrests won’t solve underlying issues driving domestic violence.

Minns government to spend $47.1m to recommission part of Silverwater jail while PSA says prison alone will not end violent behaviourFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe reopening of part of Sydney’s Silverwater jail will deliver hundreds of extra beds amid record numbers of prisoners on remand, the state government says, as the prison officers’ union warns against “arrest[ing] our way out of domestic violence”.The Minns government, responding to a surge in prisoners awaiting trial since domestic violence bail laws were tightened, announced on Monday it would spend $47.1m to recommission the 515-bed Dawn de Loas correctional centre at the Silverwater complex by early next year. Continue reading...