Offenders at Kariong Juvenile Correctional Centre will be relocated and the centre reconfigured to house minimum security adult inmates from early 2015, according to NSW Attorney General and Minister for Justice Mr Brad Hazzard.
“We know that prison numbers fluctuate, with falling numbers of young offenders in the juvenile justice system and more adult offenders in the prison system,” Mr Hazzard said. “Kariong is currently half empty. “It makes sense to utilise the facilities we already have to ensure the most efficient NSW prison system for taxpayers.” Kariong Juvenile Correctional Centre is operated by Corrective Services NSW and currently houses juveniles who have been charged with serious offences or have a high security classification. Kariong’s juvenile detainees will be moved to Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre in St Marys. Juvenile Justice NSW has developed a specific therapeutic program at Cobham JJC for managing high security classification detainees and those charged with serious offences. They will continue with centre based school and vocational programs. Corrective Services NSW Acting Commissioner Kevin Corcoran said Kariong Correctional Centre would become an assessment centre for short sentenced inmates being prepared to reintegrate back into the community. “From early 2015, Kariong will become an assessment centre for up to 50 short sentenced, minimum security inmates. “Programs run out of Kariong will focus on assessing their numeracy and literacy levels and assessing their suitability to engage in vocational education and community projects,” Mr Corcoran said. “Following assessment, the inmates will be transferred to minimum security centres such as Brewarrina, Ivanhoe, Mannus, Oberon and Broken Hill to participate in vocational education and community project programs.” Mr Hazzard said the NSW Government was committed to ensuring community safety. “I welcome the wholeof- centre focus that the adult inmates will receive at Kariong, to better equip them to get a job and reintegrate into the community,” Mr Hazzard said. No Juvenile Justice NSW jobs will be lost as a result of the transfer of detainees.
Media release,
12 Sep 2014
Member for Gosford
Chris Holstein