Open Day At The Former Belconnen Remand Centre

Thoroughly interesting. Pity it’s about to be demolished. We need the accommodation, even if it’s not good for anything flashier than a half way house.

The tour should be good
“This is where we watched tv instead of checking at risk prisoners”
“Here’s the fibro wall leading to a non secure area that high security prisoners can kick their way through and escape”
“This is the office where certain senior employees received kickbacks from contractors”
“Here’s where we kept falsified documents for use in official inquiries”

Reminds me of when I went to a concert in the grounds of the old Boggo Rd prison in Brisbane. Was checking out the cells when I oveheard the guy in front of me going ’21, 22, 23, 24 – hey Johno this is it, this is where I stayed!’

I’ll go – thinking I should write to MPs to suggest it be converted into bedsitters for single folk that are sick to death of subletting and simply want affordable small rental units. People like me.

I’ve visted an inmate there a few times. Don’t think I’d bother with the “guided tour”. It’s not like it’s Alcatraz or anything.

Meh, been there done that, didn’t have to book then either.

In fact, they kinda insisted 😀

I went to an open day at the morgue in Kingston a few years ago and it was fascinating. I have a lot going on in my life at the moment but will definitely make time to see the remand centre.

barking toad said :

Why on earth should staff be paid to give a guided tour of a closed remand centre? What is the cost/benefit?

I think it is a waste of money too. Plenty of cost. Benefit only to those that get a thrill out of visiting remand centres.

Yes, this is innovative thinking. If the open day generates enough interest Hargreaves will probably turn the shit box into a permanent museum like Fannie Bay Jail in Darwin.

I think it’s a great idea. People love this sort of stuff and gives a rare behind the scenes look at where your tax ends up.

And it is a nasty little hole, I’ve been there (for work purposes not as a guest).