The planned expansion of the Cessnock jail to accommodate 1000 new prisoners is good news for the Cessnock and Maitland regional economies.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The region’s economy has been hard hit by the mining downturn, not only in direct mine employment, but in service industries and wider economic confidence.
Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin says the Cessnock proposal will create 450 new jobs during construction and 430 permanent positions on top of the current 300.
Those extra jobs will be shared across the region with employees living in the Cessnock, Maitland and wider Hunter.
Businesses in each town or city which caters for new residents can go forward with a bit more confidence.
Stable employment leads to stable schools, thriving central business districts and associated support industries.
The planned expansion is part of NSW government's $3.8 billion Prison Bed Capacity Program announced in the State Budget.
The Baird government has not put a price tag or completion date on the Cessnock proposal until it has sought community feedback and finished “building scoping work”.
As well as the 1000 beds, the proposal will include a 'Corrective Services Industries' building with kitchen, classrooms and laundry, an image reception building, playing fields and multipurpose courts – plus 500 new car parks.
"The proposed expansion of this centre will not only help ease the prisoners population challenge, but will also make a significant contribution to the local area," Mr Severin said.
"The centre is dedicated to keeping the community safe and reducing reoffending through education and vocational training."
The jail expansion and planned new Lower Hunter Hospital at Maitland are important infrastructure projects which will keep the commercial building industry running strongly.
The focus on education and vocational training will hopefully mean that some of the jobs available in the building sector will be taken up by former prisoners.
It is also hoped that the reform element will ensure the government meets its target of reducing adult reoffending by five per cent, which will be a long-term saving on resources and more importantly the number of crimes against the people of NSW.