Representatives from the Public Service Association of NSW organised the ‘Stop The Cell Off’ rally in a bid to show the privatisation of jails, which is currently being suggested at Parklea, is not the way forward for NSW correctional centres.

Prison Officer Vocation Branch organiser David McCauley

said if jails were privatised, it would affect not only staff, but also the town the jail was situated in.

“The NSW Government is determining to privatise one of our jails which is against the labour party’s policy, they are opposed to privatising,” Mr McCauley said.

“It we were privatised it would mean staff and services would be reduced to the inmates, and then there would be less safety and security.

“And as a consequence the community will not be safe and secure,” Mr McCauley added.

A correctional centre in Junee is currently privately owned and Mr McCauley believes it is a perfect example of the negative impact a non-public jail has

on the community and the jail itself.

“Junee is private and because they were so cost focused,

toilet paper became a form of currency for them,” Mr McCauley said.

“Wellington’s costs are better than Junee because Wellington is a purpose-built jail.

“There is less staff in them, and Parklea jail was built over 30 years ago and was not purpose-built.”

Other consequences of privatisation include an impact on the local community, according to Mr McCauley.

“There will be less money put into the local economy, and staff would have to move to another jail, sell their houses and move to another town with a jail so they can keep their jobs,” Mr McCauley said.

Prison officer and chair of the Prison Officer Union Wayne Bywater was congratulated by Mr McCauley for all his hard work in fighting for local jobs at the correctional centre.

“We will fight privatising,” Mr Bywater said.

“If Parklea (jail) becomes private, anyone could be next.”