Canberra's criminals could be stopped in their tracks by a raft of pre-emptive measures designed to prevent them ending up in the ACT's overburdened court and prison systems.
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The ACT Government outlined a three-pronged approach to drive down recidivism rates, ease pressure on the court system and provide relief for the territory’s bulging prison in Tuesday's budget.
It is hoped a $2.4 million spend on research and programs will reduce serious crime and rates of reoffending, which have been a persistent thorn in the side of the territory's justice system in recent years.
The relatively new Throughcare program, which has already shown some success in cutting reoffending rates, will be extended with an extra $2 million funding.
The government will also look at sentencing reforms following the decision to scrap weekend detention as punishment from 2016.
While much of the budget focus was on preventing criminals from offending in the first place, millions of dollars was announced in an effort to bring some much-needed relief to existing court and prison facilities.
More than $25 million was allocated for staff and operations at the expanded Alexander Maconochie Centre for the next three years.
The prison's planned $54 million expansion will see the prison add 110 beds by mid-2016.
The much-needed upgrade includes a 30-cell Special Care Centre and a 56-cell flexible accommodation block to cater for a growing number of prisoners.
Another $5.3 million will help upgrade the prison's electronic security systems.
The budget also included almost $2 million for the design and development of the planned Canberra legal precinct rejuvenation.
Under the planned upgrades, the ACT Supreme Court will be refurbished and linked to the Magistrates Court building to meet the requirements of the city's judicial system for the next 50 years.
About $225,000 will improve access to legal services in an effort to reduce the backlog of civil matters in the Supreme Court.
Funding has also been allocated to reduce the backlog at the ACT Supreme Court, and for the Aboriginal Legal Service.
About $21 million will mean work can start on a previously announced joint fire and ambulance station at Aranda.
The emergency services hub has been designed to cut emergency response times and cater to the northside’s growing population.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency will also receive an extra $16 million during the next four years to help offset the Commonwealth’s reduction in emergency services cover in the ACT.
Funds were also allocated to upgrade the ACT's emergency services communication systems.