Serco Group plc (LON:SRP), the international service company, through its Australian subsidiary, has signed a new contract with the South Australian Government to operate and manage the Adelaide Remand Centre (ARC) for the South Australia Department for Correctional Services. The estimated total contract value to Serco over an initial seven-year term is AU$115m; the term can be extended by up to five years. Serco will begin transition of the facility immediately and full operational service will start in August 2019.
ARC currently accommodates up to 274 remand prisoners. The facility will be upgraded as part of the contract with an increase in total possible occupancy. The centre’s proximity to metropolitan courts allows ease of transfer for prisoner court appearances and the centre also has a video conferencing facility that allows prisoners to be directly linked electronically to the court.
Under the contract, Serco will also develop and implement a purpose-designed remand strategy with a focus on safety and security, together with managing and preparing prisoners for release or relocation. The strategy supports South Australia’s target to reduce reoffending by 10 per cent in the State. Serco will be working with a range of partner organisations to support the delivery of the strategy. This includes services such as relapse prevention, court advocacy, treatment services and holistic family support.
Commenting on the contract award, Rupert Soames, Serco Group Chief Executive, said: “We are very pleased to have been chosen by the South Australian Government to manage Adelaide Remand Centre and deliver these very important services. The contract expands what is traditionally undertaken in remand and focusses on providing a broad range of reintegration support services to all prisoners from the very start of the process. In developing our solution, we have drawn on our extensive experience operating correctional facilities within the Australian criminal justice system, as well as in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and will deliver straightforward interventions that deliver long lasting and positive effects.”
