Key facts
- New South Wales will add nearly 1,000 prison beds.
- The Dawn de Loas correctional centre will reopen with 515 beds by early 2027.
- Over 360 additional beds will be added at Parklea correctional centre.
- The state government is responding to a surge in prisoners on remand following tightened domestic violence bail laws.
- The Public Service Association (PSA) of NSW argues against 'arresting our way out of domestic violence'.
- Daniel Billings was sentenced to 28 years for the 2024 murder of Molly Ticehurst, whose killing prompted strengthened DV laws.
New South Wales will increase its prison capacity by nearly 1,000 beds in response to a surge in prisoners on remand, a situation exacerbated by tightened domestic violence bail laws. The state government announced on Monday it will spend $47.1 million to recommission the 515-bed Dawn de Loas correctional centre at the Silverwater complex, aiming for it to be operational by early 2027. Additionally, over 360 beds will be fast-tracked at Parklea correctional centre, which is set to return to public management next month.
Premier Chris Minns stated that the expansion is a necessary measure to ensure public safety in the long run. However, the Public Service Association (PSA) of NSW, representing prison officers, cautioned that simply arresting more people will not solve domestic violence. Union general secretary Stewart Little argued that while prison can contain high-risk individuals, it cannot prevent violence before it occurs or stop offenders from reoffending after release.
The announcement follows a series of alleged murders of women and children, including the case of Molly Ticehurst, whose killing by an ex-boyfriend out on bail led to strengthened domestic violence laws. These changes require alleged serious offenders to 'show cause' for their release, and registrars can no longer make bail decisions. As a result, the number of prisoners on remand has reached a record 6,398, constituting 46% of the state's adult prison population.
The PSA advocates for in-house domestic violence services, compulsory diversionary programs for alleged offenders on remand, and dedicated domestic violence courts to address case backlogs. While the government has increased funding for domestic and family violence services, Premier Minns expressed skepticism about making rehabilitation programs compulsory for inmates on remand, citing concerns about their effectiveness and the potential waste of resources on the criminal justice system.
Dawn de Loas was previously closed in November 2022 due to declining prison populations and staff shortages. The government plans to recruit around 150 staff for its reopening. The opposition has proposed closing Long Bay correctional centre to build housing and upgrade Goulburn correctional centre, with the corrections minister confirming the closure of four outdated wings at Goulburn.