00:00A former youth justice facility has had a makeover.
00:05This 10-bed facility expected to house 30 women on bail each year.
00:10Ten women can come here on bail support to be able to get facilities,
00:15have a wraparound service to ensure they can make better decisions as they move forward.
00:19About 60 women were on remand in Alice Springs Prison at the start of last month
00:23after a year of reported overcrowding in the Territory's prison system.
00:27It's hoped this new accommodation will free up crowded jail cells.
00:31A lot of women are put into remand and into the watch house and into the jails,
00:36not because they're at risk, because they don't have a safe place to stay.
00:39The accommodation is part of the Salvation Army's Open House Women's Program.
00:44We're employing a lived experience worker,
00:46recognising the importance of what lived experience brings in this space.
00:50We're also employing a family domestic violence practitioner.
00:52The Northern Territory government is spending $7.5 million over five years
00:57to run this bail accommodation.
01:00But it doesn't come without a price tag for the women who'll be staying here.
01:04They're required to spend $182 a week for accommodation
01:08and pay for food and personal expenses themselves.
01:13All that money gets reinvested back.
01:14And on top of that, it actually teaches them a life skill,
01:17because when they go back out into the community,
01:19the reality is that you will have to pay rent.
01:21The ultimate intention, reducing crime.
01:24A hopeful step towards improving individuals and the community.
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