NSW jail cells ‘mothballed’ as prisoner numbers drop

Sections at some of the NSW’s biggest jails will be taken offline in the next four weeks, due to the low prison population. But, staff have been assured there will be no job losses.

More prison cells across NSW are being “mothballed” as ­inmate numbers remain at Covid-level lows, with areas at four jails to be shut in the ­coming weeks.

Sections at some of the state’s biggest jails will be taken offline in the next four weeks, due to the low prison population. According to the latest data, just over 12,200 people were in NSW prisons in September 2023 – down from a high of 14,165 in March 2020.

The expected rise of inmates following Covid-19 – when more prisoners were granted bail or diverted from the prison system – hasn’t met predictions, with the state government this week deciding to close several jail areas to save on costs.

Cells in four of NSW’s prisons are set to close temporarily. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

In an internal email sent to Corrective Services staff on Wednesday – and seen by The Sunday Telegraph – the NSW Government advised staff that “temporary consolidation” would occur at four separate jails across the state.

Wings at Cessnock, Bathurst, Goulburn, Long Bay Jail Hospital and the Metropolitan Special Program Centre will be closed from February 12, according to the memo.

A newer section of Bathurst Correctional Centre. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Corrective Services NSW has the capacity to hold around 15,600 inmates within both publicly and privately operated prisons,” the memo read. “The current daily state sits at around 12,300 inmates. The increase to the inmate population post-pandemic has been significantly lower than anticipated.

“The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research suggests that, based on current trends, our prisons will take several years to reach full capacity.”

It’s understood the wings being closed are some of the oldest in the state’s prison network, with inmates in these areas expected to be moved to more modern areas.

Despite the closures, the memo made clear that no staff would lose their jobs.

Wings at Bathurst Correctional Centre are set to close. Picture: Jonathan Ng

In a statement provided to the Sunday Telegraph, a spokesman for Corrective Services NSW said staff will remain at their current correctional centres despite the closures of certain wings.

“There will be no job losses associated with the change and there will not be any significant impact on prison industries and programs,” they said.

“Any staff likely to be impacted can remain within their existing centre or correctional complex.

“These changes seek to provide better working environments for our staff, and improved conditions for inmate rehabilitation.”

The Public Services Association said the upcoming closures had been “badly handled”, and that they hadn’t been made aware of the plans.

“We knew they were going to take a few beds offline, but (Corrective Services) certainly didn’t say the amount that they’re doing,” PSA president Nicole Jess said.

A spokesman for CSNSW said the PSA was consulted, however.