Around 200 PSA CPSU NSW members and supporters gathered in Goulburn in April 2026 to protest the planned closure of correctional facilities across regional NSW. At the rally General Secretary Stewart Little warned the move would devastate local jobs and undermine public safety.

The rally, held near the Goulburn Correctional Centre, brought together Correctional Officers, Community Services staff and their families, many of whom travelled from surrounding towns to show solidarity.

PSA representatives said the proposed closures would not only affect correctional staff but would have a ripple effect across communities such as Goulburn, where prisons are among the largest employers.

“Regional towns rely on these jobs,” said Mr Little. “Closing prisons without a clear plan doesn’t just displace workers, it removes economic stability from entire communities.”
Speakers, including Prison Officers Vocational Branch Chair Darren King, highlighted the difficulty of redeployment, particularly for workers with deep family and community ties in the region.

Correctional Officers also raised concerns about overcrowding and staff safety, arguing that closing facilities would increase pressure on remaining prisons across the state. According to the PSA, fewer facilities could mean longer commutes for prisoners’ families and reduced access to rehabilitation programs, increasing the likelihood of reoffending.

Local business owners and community members attended the rally, with some warning that fewer public sector jobs would hurt the local economy.