JUST three weeks after it was announced that Kirkconnell Correctional Centre would reopen its doors, inmates have spent their first night inside.
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Member for Bathurst Paul Toole announced in mid-February that the NSW Government would spend $4 million upgrading the centre before it was reopened to house up to 260 minimum security inmates in 13 accommodation units.
The jail was controversially shut by the NSW Government in 2011, costing 20 corrections staff their job and sparking protests across Bathurst and Lithgow.
Attorney General and Minister for Justice Brad Hazzard praised the swift work of Corrective Services NSW after the first inmates spent the night at Kirkconnell on Monday.
“Three weeks ago, the NSW Government took a major step in keeping our community safe by reopening Kirkconnell due to an increase in the prisoner population,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Now we are well on the way to re-establishing it to its full working capacity.”
“Thanks to the prompt and diligent work of Corrective Services NSW staff and inmate work crews, 11 inmates spent last night [Monday] in accommodation units at Kirkconnell Correct-ional Centre.
“Taxpayers should also be pleased that work to house inmates is being carried out by inmates who are effectively paying back the community for past actions.”
The 11 inmates were the first of a work crew of 60 inmates who will move into the centre in the coming weeks to assist in preparing Kirkconnell.
Work is scheduled to be complete in July.
When fully operational, Kirkconnell will have 60 staff.
“Staff and inmates have so far restored and tested services including gas, water and electricity,” Mr Hazzard said.
“They have also brought accommodation units back up to scratch and made the necessary repairs to roads and buildings.”
Work will include recommissioning administration and visit areas, restoring communications and electronic security systems, re-establishing industries and education facilities and repairing buildings, the sewer treatment plant and irrigation system.