The NSW Government has announced it will bring the management of Parklea Correctional Centre back into public hands in one of the largest de-privatisation moves in the state’s history.
The decision to return the management of the vital service to the public sector will secure over 400 well-paid public sector jobs for workers in Western Sydney, said Premier, Chris Minns.
“We began bringing Junee Correctional Centre back into public hands in 2023, and today, we take the first step in making Parklea public again,” said Mr Minns.
“Frontline staff who work at Parklea Correctional Centre today will have a job at Parklea – regardless of the changes.
“This is a win for hundreds of essential workers in Western Sydney as we rebuild essential services for NSW.”
The 1,576-bed facility at Parklea is Sydney’s second-largest remand centre and has been managed by MTC Australia (previously MTC Broadspectrum) since 2018, with its existing contract expiring in March 2026.
The contract will be extended by six months, to allow sufficient time for the transition to occur in October 2026.
Parklea will become the second NSW prison to return to public ownership after Corrective Services NSW takes over the management of Junee Correctional Centre on 1 April 2025, following a 16-month transition.
The NSW public sector is currently responsible for around 10,000 inmates across 31 prisons.
Corrective Services NSW and Justice Health will work with MTC, current employees, the Public Service Association of NSW, as well as the local community, as part of the transition.
A Corrective Services NSW transition team will be established to provide timely updates and additional support to current staff throughout the transition period.
“Corrective Services NSW will work with MTC and other stakeholders through this period of change with as minimal impact on day-to-day operations as possible,” said Corrective Services NSW Acting Commissioner, Leon Taylor.
“We look forward to Parklea Correctional Centre being safely back in public hands, which will provide secure jobs and career opportunities for our hardworking frontline Corrective Services NSW staff.”
