The number of prisoners in the ACT has broken through the 400 mark, with the worsening overcrowding crisis leaving a side effect of little work for those locked up.
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Overall unemployment payments for the detainee population rose 20 per cent in the 12 months to June, far above the percentage rise in average detainee numbers.
But Corrections Minister Shane Rattenbury revealed ACT's adult prisons held 403 detainees on Friday, a record figure which had risen from about 373 in early September and 355 at the end of June.
"Given that the total of work hours available remains stable, increases in the detainee population once available employment is taken up leads to a disproportionate increase in detainee unemployment expenses," he said.
"As detainee numbers continue to rise we can expect this trend to continue."
The temporary 30-bed Symonston overflow facility has reached capacity, with 30 of the detainees there. The numbers leave little flexibility for those managing the Alexander Maconochie Centre, which Mr Rattenbury said had a capacity of 400.
Detainees are eligible for a range of payments, including employment payments, unemployment payments and educational and programs income. The public unemployment bill for ACT prisoners was $135,196 in 2014-15, up $22,865 for the year.
The Justice and Community Safety Directorate annual report said education payments had fallen 36 per cent in the same period.
While a surge in new prisoners in June forced the use of the Symonston facility, the average daily number of detainees across the financial year was 342, up less than 4 per cent.
Liberals corrections spokesman Andrew Wall said the apparent fall in education opportunities was a significant concern.
"The lack of structured education and employment opportunities contribute to the continuing problems of drug abuse and violence in the prison and fails to offer genuine opportunity for rehabilitation," he said.
Employment options include grounds maintenance, barista, laundry, kitchen, tutoring other detainees, cleaning and myna bird-cage construction.
Mr Rattenbury said ACT Corrective Services would be examining ways to increase the availability of work at the AMC, and the government accepted the importance of employment or other programs for self-improvement to assist rehabilitation.
The growth in detainee numbers came despite lower numbers of repeat offenders, with 39 per cent of detainees released from detention in 2012-13 back in detention two years later, a fall of three percentage points.
Mr Rattenbury said the government was pleased with the improvement figures, but Mr Wall said the rate still showed a lack of in-prison rehabilitation options.
A 30-cell special care unit for those who needed in-house help for drug addiction or behavioural issues recently opened at ACM, and after a second new facility opens in the first half of 2016, the main jail's capacity will be 512 beds.
