SNP Security completes upgrade of Australian prisons

Thomas Embling Hospital, which houses 118 inmates, and The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (DPFC), which holds 260 female prisoners, required solutions to overcome potential security breaches and other issues.

According to SNP Security managing director, Tom Roche, the ability to upgrade and improve security systems while still housing inmates is becoming a key requirement when undertaking prison projects, given the pressure correctional services are under at the present time.

“The upgrades required careful, strategic planning followed by precise implementation,” he said.

“There was no room for error. Any lapses in security could have placed inmates, medical personnel, guards, visitors and SNP staff working onsite at considerable risk,” added Roche.

The Thomas Embling Hospital covers 8.4 hectares, and contained within the secure grounds are seven accommodation units, educational and recreational facilities all of which have been designed to integrate security and containment without inhibiting patient care.

DPFC is over 12 hectares in size and provides maximum and medium security facilities with specialist accommodation for remanded and sentenced female prisoners.

In both prisons, the challenge was to complete an overhaul of the out-of-date access control systems and re-organisation of the communications room.

The project took three months to complete.