As part of the Northfield Prisons project team Grieve Gillett Architects was appointed as the local Project Architect to provide contract administration for the construction of the new Gatehouse and Sallyport facility at Yatala Labour Prison.

The existing gatehouse, which formed part of a larger 1970s stores shed was no longer functional. It did not provide suitable entry into the state’s main high security prison nor did it provide acceptable security for visitor, staff or vehicle entry / exit to the prison.

The new Gatehouse provides current state of the art security control and recording of all movements entering and leaving Yatala Labour Prison for visitor, staff and vehicles. The facility also includes a Staff Briefing Room, Emergency Control Centre, Staff Facilities, Visitor Reception, Entrance Foyer and allocation of space for future relocation of the main prison Control Room.

The electronic security works upgrades include personnel metal detection screening, baggage X-ray scanning, narcotic and explosive screening, biometric enrolment and recording, personnel Roto-turn access control, vehicle heart beat detection systems, vehicle entry / exit security wedge barriers and comprehensive CCTV surveillance.

Grieve Gillett Architects was able to deliver the project successfully on budget and on time with the design and documentation produced by the interstate architectural firm, Perumal Pedavoli Architects.