JUNEE Correctional Centre is among those feeling the pinch of a 14 per cent growth in the state’s prison population, which has reached a record high of 11,801.
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Jails are forced to transform “mothballed parts of centres” to increase inmate capacity, as the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) reveals the record number of prisoners is only likely to increase.
Junee jail can currently securely house 790 adult males - but the alarming rise of prisoners statewide is presenting a challenge to the state’s largest regional corrections centre since it opened in 1993.
“The record prison population is a challenge for our correctional system state wide and Corrective Service NSW is working to increase capacity in existing facilities,” a Corrective Services NSW spokesman said.
“This includes using previously mothballed parts of centres, increasing cell occupancy, and building additional accommodation in existing centres.”
The 2015-16 budget allocated $20 million to complete a 1100 bed expansion program across the state's correctional centres has never come at a better time.
“We have some unoccupied beds, however, due to safety and security considerations we have to carefully match the inmate to the bed,” the spokesman said.
“Non-association and protection placements must be considered for the safety of inmates and staff, and the good order of the prison.”
BOCSAR statistics also reveal the number of juveniles in custody rose by nine per cent, but over the past two years the number had dropped by seven per cent.
There are currently 32 detainees housed at Wagga’s Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC), which has a capacity for 45 young people.
“Over the past year at Riverina JJC, numbers have fluctuated between 27 to 40 young people in custody on any given day,” a Juvenile Justice spokesman said.
“Statewide over the past five years, numbers have decreased from a daily average of 392 young people in custody in 2010-11 to 286 in 2014-15.
Juvenile Justice, also responsible for supervising young people in the community, oversaw 1761 young people in 2014-15.
BOCSAR’s latest report also found the Indigenous prison population has increased 18 per cent since October last year and 20 per cent over the past two years.
