Union hails prison takeover a ‘landmark victory’ for all

UNION officials have praised the NSW government’s decision to take control of Junee Correctional Centre, hailing the takeover as a historic win for prison officers, inmates, and the local community.

Corrective Services NSW officially assumed management of the 1,270-bed facility at 6pm on Monday, March 31, ending more than three decades of private operation by US-based GEO Group.

While the move has sparked concerns over lost financial contributions to the town, union leaders argue it marks a turning point for workplace safety, rehabilitation programs, and public accountability.

▪️UNION FIRES BACK

Steph Cooke, Member for Cootamundra, was among those who criticised the transition on Tuesday, lamenting the financial hit to Junee’s economy.

“On April Fools’ Day, it’s the people of Junee who are the punchline. This is no joke,” Ms Cooke told 7 News Riverina.

“This is a very sad day for the Junee community. We’re set to lose millions and millions of dollars locally.”

READ MORE: Millions ripped from Junee as state takes over prison

However, Public Service Association (PSA) General Secretary Stewart Little fired back, dismissing Ms Cooke’s concerns and arguing the transition would bring long-overdue reforms.

“Today is a landmark day for correctional services in NSW,” Mr Little said.

“After decades of profit-driven management that prioritised shareholders over safety and rehabilitation, the Minns Government has delivered on its commitment to return this essential public service to public hands where it belongs.”

Mr Little also challenged claims that the transition would hurt local businesses.

“Ms Cooke points to money the previous private sector operators spent in local businesses without acknowledging that spending will continue, as the correctional centre will still need these goods and services,” he said.

▪️PROFITS OVER SAFETY

The PSA, which represents over 40,000 public sector employees, has long argued that privatisation led to chronic understaffing, safety risks, and a lack of transparency within correctional facilities.

Mr Little accused Ms Cooke of “championing private interests over public good” and ignoring the operational issues that plagued the facility under GEO’s management.

“Her defence of private operations reveals her true priorities—supporting corporate profits rather than backing the prison officers who put their safety on the line every day in our correctional system,” he said.

According to Mr Little, the transition will create more secure, better-paying jobs with improved career pathways and training opportunities for correctional staff.

“While Ms Cooke focuses on defending a private operator, she’s ignoring the benefits this transition brings to local workers—benefits that didn’t exist under privatised management,” he said.

▪️ STAFFING CHALLENGES

Junee Correctional Centre houses a mix of minimum, medium, and maximum-security inmates, with capacity for 1,270 adult males. A 480-bed maximum-security section was added in 2019, along with a female transition unit for short-term accommodation.

However, the facility has struggled to operate at full capacity due to staffing shortages—a problem Mr Little blamed on GEO’s management.

“These issues festered under the privatised model,” he said.

“We’re committed to proper officer-to-inmate ratios that ensure safety and rehabilitation can coexist.”

Corrective Services NSW has already launched a recruitment drive to strengthen staffing levels and support the prison’s transition to full capacity.

▪️FUNDING DEBATE

In her comments to 7 News Riverina, Ms Cooke argued the transition would be an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers.

“Today, NSW taxpayers go from paying $50 million annually to run this facility to $75 million a year—forever,” she said.

But the PSA insists the additional funding is a worthwhile investment.

“The additional funding Ms Cooke criticises is actually an investment in proper staffing levels, rehabilitation programs that work, and ensuring public money stays in public hands—not diverted to corporate shareholders,” Mr Little said.

▪️ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

GEO has operated Junee Correctional Centre since its opening in 1993 and injected millions of dollars into Junee through partnerships with local businesses, charities, sporting clubs, and educational initiatives, including school scholarship programs.

While some community members have raised concerns over the loss of GEO’s financial contributions to local programs, Mr Little assured residents that Corrective Services NSW is committed to maintaining community ties.

“Unlike the tokenistic corporate social responsibility programs of the past, the new management will build lasting partnerships with local businesses and community organisations based on mutual benefit rather than PR value,” he said.

In a written statement on Tuesday, NSW Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said support for Junee’s Meals on Wheels program would continue, adding that the government was also exploring alternative ways it can assist the community.