NSW jail: Private operators to be invited to prove they can run premises better

MORE than a thousand extra beds are being put into NSW’s massively overcrowded prison system - including hundreds of new ‘pop-up’ cells made by inmates.

The John Morony Correctional Complex will be “market-tested”.

MORE than a thousand extra beds are being put into NSW’s massively overcrowded prison system - including hundreds of new ‘pop-up’ cells made by inmates.

Prisons Minister David Elliott revealed that 620 beds will be created in pop-up ‘modular’ cells at Cessnock jail by the end of 2017, along with 160 extra beds at South Coast Correctional, 142 at Long Bay, 75 at Berrima, 60 at Wollongong, 40 at Dillwynia and 27 at Kempsey.

About 80 pop-up cells were built last year by lags at Parklea and Windsor jails, providing much-needed additonal capacity as the state’s jail population reached bursting point in late 2015.

The new Cessnock cells, which contain basic amenities and two beds, are likely to be made by inmates themselves and private contractors.

Long Bay Jail will get an extra 142 beds. Picture: Craig Wilson

The prison system remains far above its formal operating capacity, with unions blaming the overcrowding on a spate of recent brawls and last week’s ambush attack on prison guards at Wellington jail.

The Baird government has previously announced it was creating extra beds at a new jail at Grafton and expanding Parklea.

As revealed by the Daily Telegraph last week, the Baird government is also considering reopening Parramatta prison, which it closed along with Grafton jail because the prison population fell significantly prior to 2011 due to soft bail laws.

The decision to reopen Parramatta, which Mr Elliott said is still under “active consideration” and will be discussed with cabinet colleagues, would be a massive backflip for the Coalition government.

Speaking on Sunday morning, Mr Elliott also expanded on plans to allow the private sector to bid to run John Morony Correctional centre, saying it could lead to more but not all NSW jails being run privately, if the trial is successful.

The coalition government is considering reopening Parramatta Jail. Photo: Bob Barker.

Private firms will be invited to submit tenders to show how well and at what cost it could run the prison, with the idea being to introduce competitive tension with the public sector.

“This isn’t privatisation - this is market testing,” Mr Elliott said.

“I’m saying to the private sector and the public sector - let’s see the best that you’ve got to offer. Prisons in NSW are thirsting for reform. This is about the taxpayers of NSW get the best opportunity they have to manage their prisons.”

The move has sparked anger from unions, who believe jail privatisation could lead to job losses.

“Unfortunately prisons here in NSW are a growth industry but the unions should not be surprised that we’re taking to the private sector because this is something even the former Labor government endorsed,” Mr Elliott said.

PRIVATE OPERATORS TO PROVE THEY CAN RUN PRISONS BETTER

by Linda Silmalis

PRIVATE operators will be given the keys to the state’s prisons if they can prove they can run them better.

Jails are plagued with overcrowding, disciplinary problems, drugs, contraband, riots and gang wars, while recidivism rates are soaring.

The NSW Government will ask the private sector to submit a plan to improve the way jails are administered.

In a move set to anger unions, Cabinet has agreed to “market test” the scheme at the John Morony Correctional Complex in Windsor. Both the public and private sector will be invited to compete by submitting detailed tenders setting out performance benchmarks.

It is understood the benchmarks will include overhauling prison programs designed to prevent re-offending, which is adding to the severe overcrowding crisis. Latest figures show more than half of all prisoners have been in jail at least once before.

The government will ’market test’ the scheme at the John Morony Correctional Complex in Windsor. Picture Cameron Richardson

Running of the John Morony prison will be taken away from the Department of Corrective Services if private companies can demonstrate significant improvements. Should the scheme be successful, it is understood similar moves would be made at other state jails.

Corrective Services is one of the most unionised workforces in the public sector, with issues of overtime and work practices hampering government attempts to update the system.

It is understood the Baird government is also set to ­resolve the possible re-opening of Parramatta jail. A senior government source said there had been a push to reopen the historic prison to deal with the overcrowding crisis.

However, those opposed to the plan are concerned it would jeopardise redevelopment plans in Parramatta.

“If the jail is reopened, it will put at stake the light rail, the 3000 apartments to be built in the area and all the heritage works,” the source said.

The government has previously announced it would expand Parklea Prison while building a new jail at Grafton, adding an extra 1650 beds.

Speculation the government was planning to open private prisons to deal with overcrowding was fuelled last year following revelations then Attorney-General Brad Hazzard had met with British detention giant Serco.