Commuters can expect to see detention cells installed at Victoria's public train stations as part of the continuing rollout of Protective Service Officers.

In order to accommodate the operational needs of the officers, including secure administration areas and bathroom facilities, the state government has budgeted $78 million in the 2013/14 financial year to update infrastructure at train stations where PSOs operate.

One of the new PSO pods at the North Melbourne train station. Credit:Eddie Jim

Included in those upgrades are closed-off detention cells which are designed to house criminals until police officers arrive on-scene.

Michelle McDonnell from Your Rights on Track, a community education project aimed at supporting commuters affected by the PSO roll-out, said it was concerning that youth and people with a mental illness could be placed in claustrophobic and unexposed detention areas.