The Junee Correctional Centre has officially entered the public sector for the first time. Photo: Supplied.
The privately owned Junee Correctional Centre (jail) has been taken over by the NSW Government – making the transition to Corrective Services NSW’s new operational model last week. It’s the first time the centre has been run by the public sector since it opened in 1993.
To mark the occasion, Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong visited the closest prison to Wagga and Griffith with Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) Commissioner Gary McCahon.
The Minns Government had pledged to bring private prisons back into public hands following problems with violent outbreaks and industrial disputes over pay and conditions at facilities across the state.
On Friday (4 April), Minister Chanthivong welcomed staff to the new agency and saw the new operational model firsthand. The government said the change would secure well-paid public service jobs for locals while integrating the centre into the broader prison network, enhancing operations statewide.
“We promised voters that we would reverse the trend of privatising public services, and we’ve successfully transitioned the Junee Correctional Centre to the public sector, delivering on that commitment,” Mr Chanthivong said.
“Not only do frontline staff at Junee Correctional Centre have better pay and conditions since the transition to public management, but they’re also providing a service that will deliver better value for NSW taxpayers, as well as improved rehabilitation outcomes and education and training opportunities for inmates.”
Justice Health NSW Chief Executive Wendy Hoey said the corrections centre’s transition to the public sector would improve the health and wellbeing of people in custody while helping address staffing and spacing concerns.
“Expanding our health services to include Junee Correctional Centre is an opportunity to enhance health outcomes so that we can return people healthier to their communities,” she said.
“We were extremely pleased to see many of the existing health staff within the centre transition across to Justice Health NSW – their local experience and knowledge will greatly assist with a smooth transition.”
CSNSW, Justice Health, and the Forensic Mental Health Network have worked alongside GEO Group for the past 16 months to implement the transition, which the NSW Government hopes will provide higher pay, better job security and more employment opportunities for workers.
Minister Chanthivong also welcomed the news that CSNSW will continue to support the Junee branch of Meals on Wheels and looks forward to supporting local residents with this initiative.
The Junee Correctional Centre bakery is also expanding its operation and will provide its products to all correctional centre facilities in the southern region.
