The National Network are outraged—but not surprised—by the South Australian Government’s latest decision to pour $6.8 million into so-called “security upgrades” at Adelaide Women’s Prison and other correctional facilities across the state.
This announcement comes less than 24 hours after our critique of another senseless spending spree—millions of public dollars for new police firearms. Now, instead of listening to the community, the government doubles down, throwing yet another $6.8 million at prison infrastructure to stop tennis balls filled with drugs being hit over a fence.
“Let’s be absolutely clear: We have women and children sleeping rough, survivors of domestic violence unable to get into shelters, elderly people ramped in ambulances, and thousands of people languishing on public housing waitlists with no end in sight. And this is where the government chooses to spend its money?’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘This is a government out of touch with its people. Worse—it is a government that is actively bolstering the carceral state, rather than investing in real solutions that address the root causes of criminalisation and poverty,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘It’s really easy for the government to throw money at a complex issue like drug use—installing barriers and scanners instead of facing the deeper truth. What they are not doing is the hard, important work of supporting women inside who use drugs. That would require innovation, creative thinking, and actual commitment beyond the failed logic of prohibition,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘Imagine what $6.8 million could do if it were redirected to post-release housing, so that women could be freed from prison instead of being warehoused simply because they have nowhere to go,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘Imagine investing that money into grassroots organisations like Seeds of Affinity, who have over a decade of experience working alongside criminalised women offering meaningful support so women can build lives of freedom and dignity,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘Instead, the government chooses surveillance, scanning, and suppression. Their priorities are clear—and they are not with the community,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘We do not need more body scanners, barriers, or strip-searching technologies dressed up as “less invasive.”
We need housing.
We need healthcare.
We need healing.
We need a government with vision, not fear. With compassion, not control,’ said Tabitha Lean.
This decision is not about safety—it’s about optics and control. It is shortsighted, senseless, and shameful,’ said Tabitha Lean.
The National Network call on the South Australian Government to halt this funding immediately and redirect the money to community-led, life-affirming solutions that stop people from ending up in prison in the first place.
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226.
