Our city is facing a serious crisis. Our local prison, Port Phillip Prison, is under threat of closure - a decision that could have far-reaching impact on all our lives. As a community member deeply affected by this situation, I would like this platform to echo our voices: we need the prison to remain operational. My concern is twofold: not only are hundreds of jobs at risk, but our community infrastructure is also stressed by the increasing inmate population due to newer, stricter bail laws.

Closing Port Phillip Prison would inevitably lead to job loss, impacting hundreds of families that rely on these wages for their everyday needs. On top of the economic fallout, we will face social ramifications as well. The demographic changes in our community necessitate extra facilities to handle the rising inmate population, a direct result of the new bail laws enacted. Closing the prison at this crucial time will exacerbate the issues we are currently facing.

In the face of this adversity, we demand that the relevant authorities abandon the decision to close Port Phillip prison or take serious consideration to the proposal to allow us to remain as a Remand only centre. Let's rally together to protect the jobs of hundreds of people and the social fabric of our community. Please sign this petition and join us in our fight to keep Port Phillip Prison open.