The Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) has welcomed the return of Parklea

Correctional Centre to public hands, a result the union has fought for years to achieve.

“On October 1 this year, yet another chapter on our state’s failed experiment with private prisons closes,” said PSA General Secretary Stewart Little, who has campaigned for the return of the gaol to public ownership since being elected to his current position in 2016.

“We fought hard for this as it was obvious that locking people up for profit is no way to run a prison system.

“This is a win for NSW taxpayers, a win for our members staffing the prison and a win for inmates who want to better themselves and break free from a cycle of re-offending.”

The gaol, which was opened by the NSW Government in 1983, was privatised by the NSW Labor Government in 2009. American company GEO Group was awarded the contract to run the prison.

However, this contract was revoked in 2017 due to severe security failures and public scandals.

Safety and security issues continued under the subsequent operator, MTC.

Last year Premier Chris Minns announced Parklea would be returned to public ownership and run by Corrective Services NSW, which is a government agency.

“Since the privatisation, we have seen a private operator removed from running the gaol,” said PSA President Nicole Jess, herself a Senior Corrections Officer.

“We have seen widespread drug use, numerous escapes and a drop in the quality of rehabilitation.

“This is the inevitable result of cost-cutting by private operators more concerned with profit than professional incarceration and rehabilitation of inmates.

“Our union represents Officers in both private and public gaols, and we know staff working in government-run prisons are better paid and work in safer conditions. This is not only better for our members, it is better for the people of NSW.”

The Clarence Correctional Centre is the state’s last remaining private gaol.