Cessnock Correctional Centre has officially opened their expansion featuring a new textiles factory

The expanded facility was officially opened on Monday after months of COVID-19 delay and showcased a new gatehouse, visitor centre and an inmate-operated textiles factory. James, not his real name, is an inmate at the facility and has worked in the factory for the last eight months.

"We get up at about six in the morning and come to work until about one," he said.

"We get the opportunity to do a TAFE certificate and that's really good for our future prospects when we do get out of jail."

As part of their work making prison greens in the factory, twelve inmates will be completing a Certificate II in Fashion Design over the next year.

"That offers opportunities to guys who haven't been able to go to TAFE or do any sort of higher education."

The 240-bed all male expansion is part of the NSW government's almost $4 billion investment into prisons across the state.

Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts said the extension is part of a government plan to reduce reoffending by five per cent by preparing inmates for a "law-abiding life".

"The key to that outcome is ensuring a strong focus on inmate skills, training and education," he said.

The minister also said that staffing of the facility will benefit regional employment "with an additional 75 jobs for prison staff."

According to Cessnock City Mayor Bob Pynsent employment is an important element for the region.

"People who have come here working long shifts have chosen to live in the Cessnock LGA, which is very positive," he said.

Acting Commissioner for Corrective Services in NSW Kevin Corcoran, in his remarks at the official opening, expanded on the facility's education, employment and reintegration focus.

"The opening of the facility greatly enhances Cessnock's focus on providing purposeful activity for inmates, particularly access to programs in employment and education," he said.

"The research and evidence we've got is that traineeships have a huge impact on reducing reoffending."

Acting Commissioner Corcoran also said the facility provides minimum security inmates a more "residential" style accommodation with "additional amenity and freedom".

Along with an open-plan, grassed exercise yard, acting Governor at the Cessnock Correctional Centre Dale Ashcroft said the extension has increased freedom for inmates.

"Inmates aren't locked in the cells here, all these cells remain open. They've got bathroom and toilet facilities along with a small kitchen facility," he said.

"They get to live, they get move around. It's about preparing the inmates to get back into community living."

Mr Ashcroft told the Newcastle Herald that the facility's design and increased freedoms enhance behavior and mental health among inmates.

"You go to some jails and it's all concrete. You come here and you've got grass, you've got trees, you've got plants. We find it does lower the pressure in the facility and improves the mental health of all inmates."

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