RELATED CONTENT: Job lockdown
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
CR Sam Rowland has raised concerns about the state government’s benchmarking program with prisons, fearing local jobs may go as a result.
He said the council should take a greater role in protecting staff and services at Goulburn Correctional Centre.
“The jail is a significant community asset and Goulburn is very fortunate because it is a huge employer, employing roughly 200 locals,” Cr Rowland said.
“There are second- and third-generation wardens, all of whom have families living and working in Goulburn, all contributing to the local economy. It is such a significant asset that the council must play a greater role in lobbying the State Government over funding and we must work to ensure employment security.”
“I do not oppose privatisation, but the State Government has an obligation to protect the community and reducing funding will potentially have terrible consequence in terms of jail security for both inmates and the wider community.
“The State Government had introduced a number of draconian laws over the past three years and the result is our jails are at capacity.
“You simply cannot balance what are the makings of a Police State with a reduced funding of jails.
“There are two issues, firstly is the funding of the jail itself, that is, funding of key infrastructure within the jail – basic amenities like plumbing, electricity, maintenance of security cameras, the jail is underfunded and overcrowded.
“Secondly, employment security. The reality is jails cost money and I do not oppose privatisation but the Government has an obligation to protect the community and reducing funding will potentially have terrible consequence in terms of jail security for both inmates and the wider community.
“If the Government is looking to save money, there are public servants sitting in Macquarie Street living in a fictitious world on $150K that should be targeted first, not the troops on the ground keeping watch over our jails.
“A number of teaching positions have already been targeted and with the introduction of benchmarking, a large number of corrective services jobs around the entire state are being targeted. It really is a race to the bottom and I am not going to standby and watch it happen.”