Corrective Services NSW Bed Consolidation
10 January 2024
Members would have received a special broadcast at 6.30am this morning, from Acting Commissioner Anne-Marie Martin, detailing Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) intention to consolidate beds which will mean closures of the following areas:
- Cessnock Correctional Centre (4 Wing)
- Bathurst Correctional Centre (Area 1)
- Goulburn Correctional Centre (Area 3 and 4)
- Long Bay Hospital (Area 2)
- Metropolitan Programs Centre – MSPC (Area 1)
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøhas been concerned about the reduction of inmate numbers and raised on numerous occasions with CSNSW if they had intentions to close centres or parts of centres and has always been told we will be consulted if or when that happens.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøreceived notification of the temporary closures today in writing. We are appalled at the lack of consultation and the General Secretary has spoken to the Acting Commissioner about our concerns.
We have officially written to CSNSW tabling the following:
- CSNSW did not meet with relevant stakeholders of É«ÀÇÉçÇøyesterday prior to the announcement with a changed management plan. This was previously how restructures and closures have been managed.
- CSNSW did not give the É«ÀÇÉçÇøthe opportunity to meet with members today, at the affected centres, to address their concerns. This was previously how restructures and closures have been managed.
- The É«ÀÇÉçÇøhas not received any change management plan for the affected centres. With a reduction of inmates will that mean custodial job losses under the PBCAP principles?
- The 8 non-custodial staff that need to relocate to another centre, will that be permanent or temporary placements. Human Resources should be on complex, today, to meet, with É«ÀÇÉçÇørepresentatives present, to inform them of their options. To leave these staff members with no information shows a total lack of consideration to their welfare.
- Staffing of Emu Plains Correctional Centre and Jacaranda House. Will staff, that had to relocate when it closed, be afforded the opportunity to return to those locations under the new profile?
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøis asking for an immediate meeting with CSNSW to get further information for our members.  CSNSW has informed É«ÀÇÉçÇøthat no meeting will take place locally until we have met however, we are being told that there may have been local meetings already in some locations. If that is the case, can you ensure that the meeting has minutes and all issues and concerns that are tabled are sent to the É«ÀÇÉçÇøto compile. We will be informing CSNSW that any future meetings regarding the consolidation in centres must have É«ÀÇÉçÇørepresentation or a delegate from your executive present to ensure the changed management process is occurring correctly.