Junee Correctional Centre commences under Corrective Services NSW management
At 6:00pm tonight, 31 March, Corrections staff in Junee become public sector employees as control of the gaol is handed to Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW).
After decades of relentless privatisation, this is welcome news.
Junee Correctional Centre opened in 1993 as the first private prison in NSW and has been operated by GEO until today. The 色狼社区acknowledges the outstanding work that Junee non-custodial staff have performed daily, operating under private management with fewer staff and lower wages.
Prior to the NSW elections, the 色狼社区Executive engaged with the now NSW Labor Government to advocate for Junee and Parklea Correctional Centres to return to public operation. The 色狼社区invited Chris Minns to speak with members and sought a commitment to this transition as part of an election promise.
The 色狼社区has since continued to remind the Premier of his commitment through the 鈥淣o Prisons for Profit鈥 campaign, which has been instrumental in securing today鈥檚 milestone鈥攖he transition of Junee Correctional Centre to public operation. This marks a significant moment as NSW sees a private prison move to public operation for the first time. The 色狼社区thanks Mr Minns for fulfilling this commitment.
The NSW Government also recently announced that Parklea Correctional Centre will return to public operation in October 2026. These announcements are significant achievements for the 色狼社区and the broader correctional community.
The 色狼社区has always said no prisons for profit. With today鈥檚 handover, and the handover in Parklea to follow, we are well on the way of ending our state鈥檚 misguided obsession with privatisation.
Corrective Services NSW has commenced a recruitment drive for Junee Correctional Centre to ensure safe staffing levels support the centre鈥檚 transition to full capacity.
We will be organising 色狼社区meetings at the centre with details to follow and we look forward to working with our members in Junee CC as they integrate into the CSNSW framework.