EXCLUSIVE
To attract inmates to a maximum security prison, a prison brochure has been produced promising “community-style living”, a cafeteria for three-hour family visits and the opportunity to “see the stars at night”.
The pamphlet was printed to encourage inmates to request a transfer to the Hunter Correctional Center, near the Pokolbin vineyards in the picturesque Hunter Valley of New South Wales.
Under the title ‘Welcome!’ The document informs inmates at other New South Wales prisons that Hunter Correctional Center is “less than two hours from Sydney” in the sprawling Cessnock prison complex.
“What sets Hunter CC apart is the open-plan “dormitory-style” accommodation and our goal of providing offenders with ample opportunities to pursue education, programs (and) social activities in a safe and friendly environment,” he says.
According to the brochure, ‘HUN CC perks’ include ‘3-hour tours with cafe access and children’s play equipment’ and ‘courtyard access until 9pm – stargazing at night’.
In addition to “community-style living,” the facility features “monthly coffee purchase and weekly purchase of meat and eggs for your barbecue” and “fully equipped gym with racquetball on all patios.”
Additional “purchases” – which in most prisons refer to the purchase of items such as groceries, sweets and additional toiletries – include the highly coveted ASICS sneakers every six months.
Hunter Correctional Center houses 400 male inmates convicted of crimes including murder and sexual offenses against children. All its occupants have some type of protection.
A brochure promoting Hunter Correctional Center (above) promises “community-style living,” a cafeteria for three-hour family visits, and the opportunity to “see the stars at night.”
Among the “extra-curricular activities” offered by the prison are internships, TAFE qualifications, university opportunities, fitness and nutrition courses, boot camps and yoga classes.
For those with creative inclinations there are music classes and recording sessions, art programs, ceramics and crafts. There is a selection of board games and the possibility of working in origami.
The brochure features a glowing review from a former inmate under the heading ‘Our Former Residents Say…’.
“I’ve lost a lot of time in prison… It’s the first opportunity I’ve had to earn something… to go back to school, when I haven’t studied since I was a teenager,” he said. offending states.
That quote appears to have been taken from an ABC news website article about the prison published in October last year.
Under another title, ‘Ready for a change?’ Inmates seeking a transfer to Hunter are advised to speak to the officer dealing with security classifications at their current jail.
“If the information in this brochure appeals to you or you would like more information, please consult your local Classo representative who will be able to provide you with information on your next steps,” he says.
A NSW Correctional Services spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the “language and tone” used in the leaflet was inappropriate and the invitation would not be used again.
The leaflet has been produced to encourage prisoners to apply for a transfer to the Hunter Correctional Center (above), near the Pokolbin vineyards in the picturesque Hunter Valley of New South Wales.
“Posters and leaflets are regularly used in NSW prisons to communicate to prisoners what programmes, work and training opportunities are available,” the spokeswoman said.
‘These types of materials are usually developed ad hoc at a local level as needed to encourage engagement and participation.
‘This leaflet was originally developed several years ago to encourage prisoners to consider applying for accommodation in dormitory-style accommodation. It was later upgraded for use at the Hunter Correctional Center.
“We accept that the language and tone of the leaflet is inappropriate and it will be removed from distribution.”
The flyer was posted on The Last Governor’s Facebook page, which is monitored by former and serving prison officials who mocked the initiative.
“This is all well and good, but what about frequent flyer points or flight purchases?” wrote one user.
Other comments included: ‘Are they not getting enough repeat customers?’, ‘I love it, how can I book a room?’ and “You can also get inmates to leave a review on TripAdvisor when they leave.”
Hunter Correctional Center was recently designated as a Special Management Area prison, which houses at-risk inmates in the general prison population.
According to the brochure, ‘HUN CC perks’ include ‘3-hour tours with cafe access and children’s play equipment’ and ‘courtyard access until 9pm – stargazing at night’.
Inmates are granted comparatively more freedoms than in most prisons, but are managed within a strict “non-violence” policy.
Prison authorities have previously said the dormitory-style management system has been shown to reduce violence rates.
One Facebook user strongly defended Hunter Correctional Center after the flyer was revealed.
“It’s disappointing that some agents are also shaming programs created to get people to fix themselves and do something for themselves,” he wrote.
‘I’ve visited quite a few prisons and Hunter punches above his weight by far.
‘Their security allows no black spots and their zero tolerance towards violence ensures that prisoners who are there to recover are not influenced or affected by anti-social behaviour.
“I can also attest that officer morale seems to be much better there, which also contributes to maintaining good order.”
Hunter CC opened in January 2018 as the second “quick build” prison in New South Wales, following the establishment of the Macquarie Correctional Center in Wellington, in the state’s central west, in December the previous year.
Hunter Correctional Center houses a variety of inmates convicted of crimes including murder and sexual offenses. Many of its occupants have some type of protection. ‘Residents’ in the photo
Under the title ‘Welcome!’ The document informs inmates in other New South Wales prisons that Hunter Correctional Center is “less than 2 hours from Sydney” in the sprawling Cessnock prison complex.
Its design features four wings, each with four dormitories (or “pods”) that house 25 inmates in office-sized cubicles. Each cubicle has a desk, chair, mattress and 60 cm interactive television.
Each module has eight bathroom cubicles containing a toilet, sink and shower. Only one inmate is allowed in the cubicle at a time, allowing for greater privacy and security.
There are more than 600 CCTV cameras monitoring the entire prison with the ability to get so close that operators can read the newspaper in an inmate’s hands.
The entire facility is controlled by a central command post from where all doors, alarms and other devices can be operated and monitored.
Prison authorities touted the facility, which was built in just 12 months, as the future for rehabilitating some of the state’s worst offenders.
While the prison’s inmates have privileges not found in other maximum security prisons, they all work and receive educational programs that prepare them for life outside.
They are also under the most intense surveillance of any prison in the country and an elite armed immediate action team provides a constant response capability to any incident.
At certain points within their sentence, inmates incarcerated in New South Wales may make a request to transfer to a different prison which is assessed and decided by Correctional Services.