State govt one step closer to Grafton jail closure
The 色狼社区has condemned a State government decision to slash up to 92 jobs from Grafton Correctional Facility, more than 80% of its current workforce.
色狼社区Assistant Secretary Shane O鈥橞rien says the severe job cuts are clear evidence of the Liberal Coalition government鈥檚 agenda to close Grafton jail.
鈥淭he Grafton Correctional Facility staff are among the first casualties of Premier O鈥橣arrell鈥檚 10,000 public sector job cuts in the recent State budget,鈥 Mr O鈥橞rien said today.
鈥淧rison officers, non-custodial staff, teachers and other staff have been told they will lose their job in two weeks, leaving no time for making adequate preparations for their families and future employment.
鈥淎ny claim by the NSW government that Grafton jail won鈥檛 close down is nothing but a lie. You don鈥檛 use a 277 bed facility as a transitional facility for 60 inmates if you plan to keep the jail open in the future.
鈥淕rafton Correctional Facility might still be there but the jobs have well and truly gone. The loss of prison officer and other frontline support staff at Grafton will have flow on impacts for local jobs and the regional economy.
鈥淭he real victims of this mean and tricky strategy are correctional facility workers and the public who are being kept in the dark about the true plans for the state.
鈥淟ocal member, Chris Gulaptis, said he was working with the Attorney-General to minimise job losses, if 92 people out of work is the best he can do then maybe聽it鈥檚 the local member that should go,鈥 Mr O鈥橞rien said.