The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in the ACT includes those people with historic links with the region as well as people who have moved to the ACT from other Territories and States. There are also significant links with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the surrounding areas of New South Wales. This Indigenous population is therefore mobile. Statistically, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in the ACT is comparatively small (approximately 1 percent). The characteristics and conditions of the Indigenous population of ACT are transience, a lack of facilities and services for youth and for networking among Indigenous people, and a limited public transportation system (users of cheaper transportation are often Indigenous people). Because of the transience of the Indigenous population, there is a lack of motivation to become involved in community-building. Statistics for the end of fiscal year 2000-01 indicate that the average daily ACT corrective services offender population totaled 1,582 offenders; 8.2 percent (129) were Indigenous offenders, with Indigenous women being notably overrepresented (25 percent of all Indigenous offenders were women). An average of 12 Indigenous offenders were serving sentences in New South Wales correctional centers during the 2000-2001 financial years. The focus of the ACT Prison Project's work relates to this particular population that will be returning to the ACT's new correctional center in 2004. This paper outlines the disadvantages of the current correctional arrangements that involve sending ACT sentenced inmates to New South Wales prisons. This is followed by a listing of the benefits envisioned for the new ACT prison, which is expected to facilitate more inmate family contact and improved aftercare supervision and services in the community. Also discussed are the economic benefits of the new ACT correctional center, policies and practices that will ensure the culturally sensitive management of Indigenous inmates, design considerations, staffing, accommodations for women, health services, inmate programs, and vocational education and training. Other issues addressed are the Indigenous staffing profile for the new facility, consultation with the local Indigenous community, a reduction in the incarceration rate, ways to prevent deaths in custody, capital costs of the new facility, and the site of the new facility. 1 table