Ararat training complex opens

Ararat is now formally home to a $4-million corrections training centre after an official opening of the new facilities.

Corrections Minister Ben Carroll opened the purpose-built centre during a visit to Ararat last week.

The site will be the training base for prison staff and officers from Security and Emergency Services Group, SESG.

SESG is a tactical operation unit that provides specialised security, emergency response and other services to Corrections Victoria facilities including private prisons, Community Correctional Services and youth justice facilities.

The new facility is next to Hopkins Correctional Centre and includes a tactical training area, dog kennels and dog-training area, classrooms, overnight accommodation for SESG officers and correctional staff when required between shifts, office space and amenities.

The training site took eight months to build and followed the demolition of a previous training facility to enable construction of nearby Riv- ergum Residential Treatment Centre. It is the second one of its kind in Victoria, with the other at Lara.

SESG units are based at four prison locations across Victoria including Barwon Prison, Metropolitan Remand Centre, Loddon Prison and the Hopkins Correctional Centre.

Authorities can deploy the units to any corrections facility across the state to search, patrol or respond to emergencies, and include Passive Alert Detection and multi-purpose canine teams.

The first of two multi-purpose canine teams will begin training at the centre from April, and expectations are that up to 300 prison staff will use the facility throughout the year.

“This new complex means our hard-working and dedicated staff and specialist officers working in our prisons have access to the very best training and facilities,” Mr Carroll said.

“About 300 prison staff are expected to train at this new facility over the next 12 months – and we’re giving them the tools they need to keep our prisons safe.”