JUNEE PRISON EXPANSION IS RIGHT ON TRACK

Tuesday, March 20 2018

The expansion of Junee Correctional Centre is on track with the first maximum-security inmates due to start arriving early next year.

Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke said the pace of construction for the 480-bed expansion had started to pick up with dozens of construction workers on site.

“We are now starting to see this investment in Junee taking shape with slabs being poured and structures starting to go up,” Ms Cooke said.

“A larger prison means up to an additional 130 jobs at the centre, as well as the flow-on effects these extra wages will have on the community in terms of goods and services.

“It’s a win for the NSW prison system, which is in need of extra beds, and a win for Junee and the Riverina,” she added.

The expansion of the existing 850-bed facility is part of the NSW Government’s $3.8 billion investment into increasing capacity in the state’s prisons to meet demand.

The expansion also includes:

• Refurbishment and extensions to existing buildings including the health clinic, stores, kitchens, laundry and industries building; and

• Extension of the Shine for Kids building.

Construction work began on the site in April last year and since then around 300 construction workers have been busy erecting new perimeter fencing, building temporary administration blocks and installing modular cells, which are built by inmates through Corrective Services Industries.

Construction of the cell blocks and supporting infrastructure is expected to be complete by the end of the year with the jail aiming to be operational by early 2019.

A Community Consultative Committee - chaired by Junee Shire Council General Manager James Davis - meets bimonthly to discuss all aspects related to the expansion and any impacts on the community.

Junee Correctional Centre currently employs more than 280 staff with about half from the local area.