CORRECTIVE Services NSW has hosed down speculation that Muswellbrook will be a home to the state’s most violent criminals.
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The department was forced to issue a statement following an article, which appeared in the media at the weekend.
The story stated the plan, to house 400 maximum-security prisoners at the St Heliers Correctional Centre, was currently before State cabinet.
But, a Corrective Services NSW spokesperson rejected the claim.
“We’re expanding a number of existing correctional centres as part of the Prison Bed Expansion Program,” she said.
“A number of other options are also being considered for future expansion capability.
“However, no decision has been made at this stage to build a Rapid-Build Prison at St Heliers Correctional Centre.”
Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen reinforced that message.
“There are no plans [to build it],” he stated.
Muswellbrook Shire mayor Martin Rush said council was made aware, about 12 months ago, by Corrective Services NSW of an interest in expanding St Heliers.
“We sought and obtained assurances from the Minister for Corrections David Elliot and Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen that council would be consulted well before the matter was progressed,” he explained.
“Until the article appeared, on Sunday, council was unaware that the matter had progressed and certainly has not been invited to participate in any consultation.
“Council has sought further briefings from the State Member’s office and Corrective Services NSW as well as the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) but has been unsuccessful, at this time, in securing a briefing.
“Although the Regional office of DPC has indicated that it will arrange a briefing for council as a matter of urgency.
“It is understood the application will broadly include capacity for 400 maximum-security classification inmates.
“If such an application proceeds it will represent a substantial change in the operation of the present facility, which currently provides capacity for 286 minimum-security classified inmates in what is essentially a pre-release prison.
“Despite commentary to the contrary, the families of inmates do not move to the local area in any significant number because, with few exceptions, inmates only come to the correctional facility for the last 6-12 months of their custodial sentences.”
Cr Rush said the existing correctional facility at St Heliers was “exceptionally good”.
“It provides a substantial proportion of the overall food supply for the state’s corrections system,” he said.
“It is one of the lowest cost corrective facilities in NSW and has an enormously positive impact on reducing repeat offending by providing inmates with job ready skills upon their release.
“A more typical maximum-security prison in the Upper Hunter would be capable of receiving inmates for the entirety of their custodial sentences and is very different in operation to the present correctional facility.
“It would have considerable social impacts on the wider community that would need to be carefully understood and managed.
“Council again encourages the state government to be open and transparent with its planning for the correctional facility if, for nothing else, to avoid suspicion that its lack of consultation is because an approval for the correctional facility is already a done deal.”
