The Junee Correctional Centre expansion is over halfway complete, with more than 300 people employed on the bustling construction site every day.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the speed of progress has been astounding to watch, with all four accommodation blocks now in place and expected to be complete in July 2019.
“This is a major job initiative for the local area,” Ms Cooke said.
“Anyone in Junee can tell you just how significant the jail here is for employment. At least half of the 300 workers employed in construction daily are from the region.”
The prison expansion will also deliver more than 100 new permanent jobs as custodial staff, which are estimated to inject $5 million per year into the local economy.
The project remains on track for the target completion date of late 2019.
The GEO Group, which has run the centre since 1993, will begin recruiting around Christmas 2018, with a particular focus on local job-seekers.
This will provide plenty of time to ensure new staff are well trained and familiar with the centre, before the new facilities open.
Junee Correctional Centre will also have a new Police Charge Room as part of the current expansion in a major boost for local services.
The new room is part of the 480 bed expansion at the prison and will allow police to deal with inmates at the centre without needing to move them to a police station.
The expanded centre will utilise state-of-the-art security intelligence systems to ensure the safety of the community, staff and inmates. These features include:
- New central control room;
- Sterile zone between the two perimeter fences;
- Perimeter cameras with enhanced thermal imaging and visual motion detection to improve detection and accuracy; and
New audio-visual infrastructure for family and legal visits, and court appearances.
For more information, visit newprisons.justice.nsw.gov.au
