REVEALED: Grafton jail gets an opening date

First prisoners to arrive soon, as $560m project will spring into action

Aerial of construction of the Grafton correctional centre

THE NEW Grafton jail, the largest and newest prison in the country, has an opening date.

The new Clarence Correctional Centre will open next Thursday, June 25, with inmates to arrive from July 1.

Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis announced the opening of the centre at Lavadia, and said the centre will deliver 600 jobs and a $560 million boost to the regional economy

“Australia’s newest and largest prison will officially take its first inmate on 1 July,” Mr Gulaptis said.

Clarence Correctional Centre New Grafton Jail

“The state-of-the-art correctional centre, funded by the NSW Government, had a peak workforce of around 1,200 people during construction and supported countless local small businesses.

“That economic benefit will only grow now through the procurement of local goods and services and the extra wages it brings to the region and is great news for the Clarence.”

FIRST LOOK: Images of new Grafton Correctional Centre

The centre will be operated under a public-private partnership with Northern Pathways – a consortium compromising John Laing, John Holland and Serco.

The centre can house 1,000 males and 300 females in maximum security, and 400 minimum-security male inmates.

Mr Gulaptis said prison will be highly secure with world-class features to ensure the safety of the inmates, staff and the community.

“This includes the use of high tech body scanners to keep drugs out of the prison,” Mr Gulaptis said.

Clarence Correctional Centre New Grafton Jail

“The prison has been designed with the goal of reducing reoffending.

“Inmates will be able to use tablets for visits bookings, employment scheduling and study, which supports the responsible prisoner model and helps them find employment opportunities on release,” Mr Gulaptis concluded

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