Rachel’s constituent of was just one of many women who have suffered under frequent prison lockdowns at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. She reported missing important appointments as a result, including housing and support appointments, necessary for successful community reintegration.
After having previously advocated on this issue numerous times, Rachel asked the Minister for Corrections what meaningful measures besides staff recruitment are being implemented to stop recurring lockdowns.
Thursday the 18th of June 2026,
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
My constituency question is for the Minister for Corrections.
My constituent from Rowville was recently paroled from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. She has kept a record of lockdowns at the centre from 2024 to 2025.
According to this record, one unit was locked down on 21 separate occasions in July of last year. My constituent reports missing important appointments and family phone calls due to these lockdowns and described conditions as a prison within a prison.
These descriptions do not end at the prison gate. Many women released from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre return to communities across the south-east where access to health care, housing and family support are critical to successful reintegration and reducing recidivism.
So my constituent asks: beyond staff recruitment, what specific measures will the government implement to reduce lockdowns at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and ensure prisoners can access medical, housing and rehabilitation services in the south-east?
Written response received, 7th of July 2026:
The safety of both staff and prisoners is paramount when making decisions on when it is necessary to lock down a unit or facility.
Lockdowns at any correctional centre only occur when it is absolutely necessary and may be for operational reasons such as security incidents, staff absences or adverse weather.
When they are required, lockdowns occur for the minimum time necessary and can impact discrete accommodation areas, multiple units or the entire prison. Any lockdown of any unit for more than 15 minutes is counted as a lockdown.
Phone calls and virtual visits (via Zoom) continue to be regularly undertaken. Legal visits continue to be prioritised during periods of lockdown and women in custody at DPFC continue to receive their medication and other health services are prioritised according to clinical need.
I am advised the frequency and duration of lockdowns at DPFC have reduced and women have received at least an average of 9 hours out-of-cell time per day since late October 2025, reflecting the staff recruitment efforts by the government.
There are a range of planning activities in place to support the release from prison, including family engagement, housing and pre and post-release programs.
The Hon. Paul Hamer MP
Minister for Local Government
Minister for Youth Justice
Minister for Corrections
