Surge bed updateÌý
Prison Officers Vocational Branch (POVB) State Executive have continued to rally against the unsafe activation of surge beds during the current staffing crisis. Consultation has occurred at Long Bay Hospital (LBH),ÌýMetropolitan Special Programs Centre (MSPC), Junee, South Coast, Lithgow, Bathurst and Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC) with an intention to have surge posts written into centres P28. Bathurst and South Coast surge beds have now been deactivated, and the respective subbranches declined to engage in further activation of surge beds at this time. CSNSW will provide a plan/schedule for the deactivation of the remaining surge beds by 19 May 2026.
Industrial Relations Commission mattersÌý
POVB State Executive continue to support the following sub-branches with ongoing disputes at the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC)
- LBH/MSPC – RIT/Observation post, matter resolved on 14 May 2026 with a positive outcome for our members. All POVB bans from this dispute have now been lifted
- John Moroney – locker room dispute
- Shortland – Hybrid roster/WHS concerns, inmate cohort changes
Goulburn Correctional Centre
POVB/PSA/Local Delegates and members continue to advocate to CSNSW to review the proposed closure of the two Victorian Era wings seeking a reversal of this decision.
Goulburn delegates have presented the Commissioner with a proposal to keep the centre operational.
Management of female inmates
POVB State Executive continue to raise concerns with CSNSW over the proposed closure of Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre (SWCC) and the plans moving forward to house high need female inmates.
POVB has advised CSNSW of our formal opposition to the suggested closure of the purpose-built mental health units, and the transition of all these inmates into old, retrofitted buildings at Dillwynia CC, that are not built for purpose or appropriate for the housing of maximum-security mental health women.
PSA/POVB has not been consulted on the proposed restructure to the entire women’s system. This will be influenced by the remand model and the 24/7 MRRC proposal.
Impacts will be felt by Dillwynia, Mary Wade and Silverwater Women’s; we are now two months into a six-month consultation period and still no information has been provided.
Communication remains ongoing with CSNSW over this matter.
Casual to permanent talent poolÌý
POVB State Executive have been advised the Casual to Permanent Talent Pool will be advertised four times a year and be open for a period of 14 days. This will be advertised on the CSNSW Broadcast.
New Remand ModelÌý
CSNSW have not provided any official documentation to the POVB, stating it will be received in the next couple of weeks. We have been told Surry Hills and Amber Laurel will be closed once MRRC goes 24/7 for fresh custody and Police Bail Refused inmates. Once we have been given the new model we will inform delegates.
Classification review
The POVB state executive have been invited into the working group to change the current classification system which will commence before the end of the month.
Parklea staffing and running
The POVB State Executive are consulting with CSNSW over staffing levels and purposeful day routines at Parklea CC. Proposed P28 has been forwarded to all POVB delegates. Initial feedback from working group has had AS numbers increased and SAS numbers decreased while SCO have remained in the wings. They are working off a lot of assumptions on what Parklea will and wont be doing the major one is Parklea won’t be taking fresh custody inmates.
Meeting with CSNSW managers
At the request of the POVB State Executive, CSNSW Senior Executive have confirmed Commissioner McCahon will address POVB delegates to inform staff of the 12-month Plan for Corrective Services NSW. We are still waiting on dates to be confirmed for this meeting to occur between POVB delegates and CSNSW managers.
POVBÌýState ExecutiveÌý2026Ìý– Sub-Branch ResponsibilityÌý
ÌýVice Chair– Andrew Brown Ìý
ÌýLithgow CC Ìý
Kirkconnell CC Ìý
Macquarie CC Ìý
Wellington CC Ìý
Broken Hill CCÌý
South Coast CCÌý
SOG / EHS Unit Ìý
Secretary – Tori-Lee Taylor Ìý
Mary Wade CCÌý
Long Bay Hospital/SPC Ìý
MSPC Ìý
MRRC Ìý
Dillwynia CCÌý
Parklea CCÌý
Silverwater MEUÌý
Long Bay MEUÌý
Country Vice Chair 1- Liz ReidÌý
Junee CCÌý
Mannus CCÌý
Goulburn CCÌý
Cooma CCÌý
Nowra CourtÌý
Batemans Bay CESUÌý
Goulburn CESUÌý
Albury CESUÌý
Wagga Wagga CESUÌý
Queanbeyan CESUÌý
Country Vice Chair 2-Anthony HaysomÌý
Cessnock CC Ìý
Hunter CC Ìý
Shortland CCÌý
Mid North Coast CCÌý
Northern TransportÌýUnitÌý
Port Macquarie CESUÌý
Cessnock MEUÌý
Grafton CESUÌý
Lismore CESUÌý
Dubbo CourtsÌý
Assistant Secretary Greg ClarkÌý
Geoffrey Pearce CCÌý
JohnÌýMoronyÌýCC Ìý
Emu Plains CCÌý
CDTCC Ìý
SilverwaterÌýWomen’sÌýCCÌý
Amber Laurel Ìý
Silverwater TransportÌýUnitÌý
CBD CourtsÌý
Surry Hills CellsÌý
Kariong Transitional CentreÌý
Wollongong CourtÌý
Metropolitan CourtsÌý
Newcastle CourtsÌý
State Overseer Delegates including Custodial/Courts -Gareth BallardÌý
Bathurst CCÌý
Glen Innes CCÌý
Tamworth CCÌý
St. Heliers CC Ìý
Moree CourtsÌý
OverseersÌý/ Facility MaintenanceÌýStatewideÌýÌý
Bathurst CESU Ìý
RegardsÌý
Darren KingÌý Chair on behalf of the
POVB State ExecutiveÌý