Source : Perth Now news
Prison remand facilities are being expanded as police conduct high-visibility operations targeting people carrying weapons following a state’s horror month of bloodshed.
NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday committed to adding hundreds of prison beds to the custody network, as police seized 108 weapons in a two-day operation.
The state has had a series of fatal shootings, stabbings and domestic violence attacks in recent weeks.
Two fatal mistaken identity shootings at the beginning of September gave way to four alleged DV murder incidents in a single weekend.
The government plans to open a temporarily shuttered minimum security centre at Sydney’s Silverwater jail early in 2027.
The Dawn de Loas centre contains 515 beds. The state government will back its recommission with a $47 million investment.
The government pointed to tougher bail requirements for alleged domestic violence offenders, tightened in 2024, in explaining the expansion.
“Those decisions mean more people accused of serious domestic violence are being held behind bars. I believe that’s the right thing to do,” Mr Minns said.
“It also means we need more prison space. If a court decides someone is too dangerous to be released, then we need somewhere to put them.”
One third of September’s record remandees are facing DV charges. Alleged serious offenders must show cause to receive bail, and courts must keep keen eyes on DV red flags.
Upgrades at Parklea Correction Centre are also expected to deliver more than 360 beds after returning to public ownership in October.
The more than 6300 alleged offenders in remand in September comprised 46 per cent of NSW’s adult prison population. Remand numbers peaked in March at 6650 people.
The police force’s weapons exercise – Operation Foil – spanned Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning.
During the operation, a 36-year-old man received charges for allegedly toting an axe in his bag in Tamworth, while Parramatta police allegedly found two 30cm hunting knives on a 16-year-old boy at the train station.
About 4400 searches returned 108 weapons across NSW, including 85 knives, four firearms and 19 other weapons.
More than 150 people were charged with about 360 offences over the period.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said weapons did not keep Australians safe.
“There is no good reason to walk out your front door carrying a knife or another dangerous weapon. You are putting yourself and everyone around you at risk,” she said.
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