http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-24/ararat-council-wants-to-build-prison-for-elderly/4775082

Western Victoria council pushes idea of purpose-built prison for elderly at Ararat

        Photo:       Mr Evans says prisons are not equipped for elderly prisoners with wheelchairs and roll-in showers.  (AAP: Paul Miller)      

 

Map:         Ararat 3377

  

A council in western Victoria is pushing to become the site of Australia’s first purpose-built jail for the elderly.

The Ararat Council says the prison would cater for inmates over 65 and could bring 200 jobs to the town.

The idea has been canvassed with the State Government, but a spokesman says a decision is a long way off.

Ararat Council chief executive Andrew Evans says prisons are not equipped to deal with elderly inmates.

“What better than a facility that is right next door to a large regional hospital?” he said.

“You don’t have to put the same level of security on it. You’re talking about people who are chronically ill and chronically aged.

“It can be designed for wheelchairs. You can have roll-in showers. You can have all the things that need to be there.”