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Prison Profiles - Barwon Prison

HM Barwon Prison provides accommodation and services for mainstream, maximum security prisoners. The prison includes the high security Acacia Unit, the protection units Banksia and Hoya, and mainstream units, Cassia, Diosma and Eucalypt.

Operator

Corrections Victoria

Security level

Maximum

Operational capacity

353 (30 June 2008)

Operational capacity is the total number of places available in which to house prisoners.

Accommodation

Accommodation includes:

• 20-bed facility for high security prisoners
• 60-bed facility for maximum security protection prisoners.

History

Barwon was the first new prison in Victoria to be designed specifically for 'unit management'. Construction of the prison commenced in 1986. It was completed in October 1989 and the first prisoners were received in January 1990. Barwon Prison is the only maximum security prison located outside the metropolitan area. It is situated 6 km from the township of Lara and 70 kilometres south-west of Melbourne.