Junee Correctional Centre commences under Corrective Services NSW management
At 6:00pm tonight, 31 March, Prison Officers in Junee become public sector employees as control of the gaol is handed to Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW). The Prison Officers’ Vocational Branch (POVB) State Executive and Industrial Staff welcome Junee Correctional Officers to the POVB today as we celebrate their transition from the private company GEO.
After decades of relentless privatisation, this is welcome news.
Junee Correctional Centre opened in 1993 and was the first private prison in NSW and has been operated by GEO until today. The POVB acknowledges the outstanding work that Junee Correctional Officers have performed daily, making the private system work with less staff and while earning lower wages.
Prior to the NSW elections, the PSA Executive canvassed the now NSW Labor Government to bring Junee and Parklea to public operation, inviting Chris Minns to attend the POVB Management Committee and asking him to make an election promise.
The POVB has reminded the Premier of his promise through the No Prisons For Profit campaign, pushing the NSW Government to announce Junee’s transition to public operation.
Today is a landmark day, as we see a privatised operation move to public operation for the first time in NSW. We thank Mr Minns for fulfilling his promise.
The NSW Government recently announced that Parklea Correctional Centre will also return to public operation in October 2026. These announcements are great achievements for the PSA and makes the POVB stronger.
The PSA has always said no prisons for profit. With today’s handover, and the handover in Parklea to follow, we are well on the way of ending our state’s misguided obsession with privatisation.
The majority of Junee Correctional Officers have already joined the POVB, and the sub-branch elected 12 POVB delegates at their first POVB meeting, which was held off-site at the Junee Ex-Services Club on 13 March. POVB Chairperson Keith Smith addressed members, welcoming everyone to the POVB family. Mr Smith said at the meeting, “I am so proud to see so many Correctional Officers turn up after work tonight to join the PSA and elect 12 POVB Delegates and form a strong sub-branch. We want you to improve safe staffing levels, get paid better wages, enjoy better working conditions and join a strong union that fully supports you as Correctional Officers.”
CSNSW has commenced a recruitment drive for Junee Correctional Centre to ensure safe staffing levels are adequate to enable an increase in the inmate state to full capacity.
A paid POVB meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday 9 April 2025 at Junee. We look forward to working with Junee POVB delegates and members as they transition to full CSNSW operation.
POVB State Executive
Keith Smith Chair
0410-310-632
Cameron Kennedy Vice Chair
0448 962 961
Andrew Brown Secretary
0422 890 159
Darren King Country Vice Chair
0407 935 039
Trevor Clark Country Vice Chair
0447 282 778
Gareth Ballard Overseer Vice Chair
0422 883 400
Greg Clark Assistant Secretary
0415 929 105
POVB Industrial Staff
David McCauley Senior Industrial Officer
0419 022 767