“Maximum and minimum security for males only.” Ever wondered what it’s like inside Parklea Correctional Centre? Today we’ll journey into the history of this facility. Parklea Correctional Centre stands in Sydney’s north-western suburbs. It houses both maximum and minimum security inmates.
Parklea Correctional Centre is currently managed by MTC Ventia. Previously, GEO Group managed it until November 2018. The facility has capacity for 1350 inmates. It accepts those charged under New South Wales or Commonwealth legislation. A minimum-security work-release center exists for inmates nearing release. This holds 120 people. A Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional unit is also part of the center.
Following a Royal Commission in 1976-1978, a prison was established at Parklea. It was initially designated as maximum-security. The original opening was scheduled for October 1983. But a scandal involving Rex Jackson delayed it until September 1985. However, the first inmates arrived in November 1983. The center opened with 220 maximum-security inmates. The same number of prison officers were present.
Parklea Correctional Centre has a history marked by disturbances. The first riot occurred on December 13, 1987. Prisoners consumed “gaol brew” alcohol from fermenting fruit and sugar. Ten prison officers were injured during the riot. One officer was struck with a typewriter. A review followed. Oranges and sugar were withdrawn from all NSW correctional facilities.
A second riot occurred on September 23, 1990. It followed a restrictive policy on prisoners’ private property. Minister Yabsley introduced this policy. The incident caused significant damage to the gaol. Other prison institutions across the state rioted in protest. Lockdowns occurred across the prison system. The Australian Human Rights Commission described conditions in NSW as a serious violation of human rights. Many prisoners remained locked in their cells for one month.
After the riots, Parklea Correctional Centre was reclassified to medium-security. In 1992, it became a correctional prison for young offenders. This followed a campaign led by Children’s Magistrate Barbara Holborow. But in 2001, Parklea returned to maximum security. Inmate numbers increased with 92 additional cells.
The Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre was created in 2006. It stands adjacent to Parklea Correctional Centre. This is a stand-alone prison. It houses a stable inmate population. Patients with repeat drug-related charges participate in comprehensive drug treatment here. The CDTCC can accommodate 70 inmates in Stages 1 and 2. A further 30 inmates undertake Stage 3 in the community. Entry to the program is by order of the Drug Court.
In 2008, the NSW Government announced plans to privatize Parklea. Prison officers protested these plans. GEO Group Australia was awarded the contract to manage Parklea Correctional Centre. This started on November 1, 2009.
GEO Group Australia assumed operations on October 31, 2009. This was the first time a publicly managed prison in Australia transferred to private management. The NSW Minister for Corrections described the transition as “hugely successful”. Corrective Services NSW installed a team of senior staff on-site to oversee the transition.
In January 2011, the Commissioner for Corrective Services ordered GEO Group Australia to move 73 inmates. This was part of a “major security upgrade” following the escape of three inmates. After new fencing and a review, the minimum-security facility reopened.
Notably, Jarryd Hayne served part of his sentence at Parklea. He was later transferred to Cooma Correctional Centre.
Parklea Correctional Centre continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing needs of the correctional system. From riots to privatization, its history reflects the complexities of incarceration in New South Wales.