Lack of perimeter monitoring at Dhurringile Prison frustrates locals

Nov 6, 2019

Perimeter monitoring methods have been called into question after a prisoner managed to escape undetected by authorities at HM Prison Dhurringile this year.

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State Member for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell raised her concerns with Victorian Corrections Minister Ben Carroll, after learning authorities were allegedly unaware a prisoner had even escaped in August until a community member phoned.

Ms Maxwell also said residents were frustrated about the over-vigilance of guards outside the facility on nearby roads in comparison to the lack of security within prison boundaries.

“It’s clear residents are feeling continually hassled and treated with suspicion when driving in and out of the area,” Ms Maxwell said.

“There appears to be a very real disconnect between the monitoring of inmates and the right of innocent residents.”

The incident reportedly occurred on August 20 this year when the escapee approached a nearby resident at his home and asked him to phone a taxi.

Eight months before, Seymour man Dennis Wallace also escaped from the minimum-security facility on Christmas night.

A convicted drug trafficker, Wallace was sentenced to 12 months in prison and had been incarcerated since December 6.

He was found on December 29.

According to the Department of Justice and Regulation's 2014-15 annual report, there were eight escapes from Dhurringile Prison in 2013-14 and another four during 2014-15.

The corrections minister was contacted for comment.