The Minns Labor Government has today successfully returned Parklea Correctional Centre to public management, strengthening the state’s publicly operated correctional system and bringing hundreds of frontline jobs back into the NSW public sector.
The transition of the 1,195-bed facility from private operator MTC Australia to Corrective Services NSW is one of the largest de-privatisation projects in NSW history and marks the second prison brought into public hands under the Minns Labor Government.
The move secures over 400 long-term public sector jobs in Western Sydney and brings the operation of one of the state’s largest correctional centres into the public system, rather than a private operator.
From today, Parklea Correctional Centre will predominantly operate as a remand facility, easing pressure on the system as stronger domestic and family violence law enforcement drive higher remand numbers.
As part of the Government’s reforms to strengthen the state’s correctional network and respond to growing demand, Silverwater’s Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre will become the state’s central metropolitan 24/7 intake hub.
It will assume primary responsibility for male and female fresh custody admissions across metropolitan Sydney.
This new operating model will improve the management of inmate admissions and movements, maximise available correctional capacity and support the increasing demands being placed on the justice system as police, courts and corrections continue taking strong action against serious crime.
The return of Parklea follows the successful transfer of Junee Correctional Centre to public management in April 2025.
Together, these reforms mean the NSW public sector is now responsible for more than 12,500 inmates across 32 correctional centres.
Justice Health NSW will work alongside CSNSW staff at Parklea to facilitate health care services.
Acting Minister for Corrections Paul Scully said:
“Today is an important milestone, with one of the state’s largest correctional centres returning to public management.
“Prison officers do an incredibly tough job. They deserve secure jobs, good conditions and a system that backs them to do that job safely.
“Bringing Parklea back into public hands also means we can run our prisons as one system – moving staff and resources where they’re needed and responding quickly when pressure builds.
“Ultimately, this is an essential public service. We want it accountable to the people of NSW and focused on keeping our staff, our prisons and the wider community safe.”
Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby MP said:
“Today marks the return of hundreds of secure public sector jobs to Western Sydney, with around 400 workers now part of Corrective Services NSW.
“The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to reverse privatisation and ensure critical public services are accountable to the people of NSW.
“This is a win for local workers, local families and our community.”
Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM said:
“Corrective Services NSW has worked with MTC Australia and other stakeholders to successfully transition centre operations to a new model centred on providing remand inmates better access to programs, training and education opportunities.
“I want to thank CSNSW’s project team for their tireless work to enable this smooth transition, and I wholeheartedly welcome all Parklea employees to the CSNSW family in blue.”
