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Judy Lazarus Transition Centre

The Judy Lazarus Transition Centre provides a supervised pathway back into society for selected prisoners nearing the end of their sentence. It is named after Judy Lazarus, a prominent advocate of prisoner resettlement and former CEO of the Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders.

Centre location

The centre is located on the corner of Adderley and Jeffcott Streets in West Melbourne, adjacent to the Melbourne Assessment Prison. The site was chosen for its access to public transport, education and training programs and support agencies.

During the design and construction process, the Department of Justice was actively involved with stakeholders, including the local community and advisory groups, in a bid to ensure that the centre offers the best possible opportunity for prisoner rehabilitation.

The prisoners at the centre

Only male offenders classified as low risk and who are close to the end of their sentence are considered for the centre and the associated Transition Program. No person will be considered if they:

• pose an unacceptable risk to the community, other participants or staff
• have a history of sex offences
• have any outstanding criminal or prison disciplinary charges
• are known to be at significant risk of self-harm.

Prisoners who are residents at the centre are able to leave for specific purposes, consistent with transitional practices at other correctional facilities in Victoria. These include:

• medical treatment
• education and training services
• counselling
• preparation for employment.

The authorisation to leave the centre will include conditions regarding the period of time prisoners are absent and the reason for their absence.

Centre security

The centre is a secure site with one point of access for prisoners and visitors that is monitored 24 hours a day. 

Research

Research shows that the rehabilitation programs provided in custody and a prisoner's transition back into the community following release are significant factors in reducing reoffending.

Transition centres have operated successfully throughout the world since the early 1970s, with centres opening in Queensland in the early 1980s and in New South Wales in 1996.

The government is committed to further reducing crime in Victoria and the Transition Centre is an important step in the right direction.