Two new units were opened today at the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre that will focus on re-offending inmates on short term sentences and will be used to rehabilitate offenders and prepare them for community reintegration.
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Minister for Corrections and Minister for Veterans Affairs, David Elliot, and Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey today officially opened the High Intensity Program Units (HIPUs) which will deliver treatment and programs with a focus on Indigenous inmates and those with domestic violence convictions.
Mr Elliot said the units have been purposely built to help short-term inmates get their lives back on track.
“Prioritising inmates serving sentences less than six months, the two units will cater for up to 40 male inmates each and 20 female inmates,” Mr Elliot said.
“It will give them a new approach to their life.”
Ms Pavey said the programs focused on practical life and communication skills, family visits and local mental health services.
“These intensive programs are designed to help inmates understand the factors that led to their offending behaviour and to develop the skills they need to change,” Ms Pavey said.
Mr Elliot and Ms Pavey toured the female unit after the official opening and learnt more about the programs that will be implemented.
Mr Elliot, Ms Pavey and Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Peter Severin spoke to officers in the correctional centre about the alleged inappropriate relationship between a prisoner and a prison officer prior to the opening of the units.
“It has been a challenging week and it needs to be said that this only represents 0.1 per cent of officers in NSW, the other 99.9 per cent are doing the right thing,” Mr Elliot said.
“The officers here want their reputation restored. Actions like we have seen here, rip down the reputation of colleagues.”
Mr Severin also spoke on the matter and said the investigation is ongoing.
“We will investigate this thoroughly. A day of staff training will be rolled out across NSW to combat this issue. When individuals cross the line, it concerns us,” Mr Severin said.
