news

Corrections Minister welcomes new recruits
Twenty-two trainee correctional officers celebrated a new chapter in their careers today at a swearing-in ceremony at Parklea Correctional Centre. Parklea Governor Paul Baker said

Running a prison like a small town
When most people think of a prison, they think of correctional officers, metal bars and inmates in cells. But behind the scenes at Parklea Correctional

Catholic bishop washes inmates’ feet at Parklea
Most Rev Vincent Long van Nguyen OFM Conv, the fourth Bishop of Parramatta, has washed the feet of inmates in a gesture of respect, humility

Call for community members for Parklea committee
Parklea Correctional Centre is calling for expressions of interest for its community consultation committee which aims to support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending by discussing issues

Parklea officer recognised for horticultural programs
Parklea Correctional Centre Horticulture Overseer Sanjeev Kumar received a pleasant surprise on Australia Day when he was named Environmental Citizen of the Year by Blacktown

Supporting inmates on release to reduce reoffending
Leaving prison without a support network can be a daunting experience if you don’t have a place to live or a job to go to.

Parklea makes hattrick in garden competition
Parklea’s gardens have again impressed the judges of this year’s Blacktown City Garden Competition, awarding the prison first place in two categories. The winning team,

Parklea welcomes final graduates for 2021
Parklea Correctional Centre welcomed its third intake of trainees last week, further boosting officer ranks. The 22 new recruits come from diverse employment and cultural

Parklea inmates create sculptures for DV campaign
Inmates from Parklea Correctional Centre have put their metalwork skills to good use by creating a giant tea set to help raise awareness and promote

Parklea chaplains choose to be called to prison
Being a prison chaplain isn’t a job, it’s a calling, according to Parklea Correctional Centre’s five faith leaders. To ensure the prison can provide support

Parklea and Foodbank mark one year milestone
Parklea Correctional Centre is again donating fresh, organic produce to Foodbank NSW & ACT after forming a partnership last winter to help feed people in

Parklea welcomes new recruits
Parklea Correctional Centre has welcomed 24 trainee correctional officers at a CoVid safe swearing-in ceremony. Due to the Sydney lockdown, graduates were unable to invite

Parklea launches new reintegration program
Parklea Correctional Centre marked a significant milestone today when it launched its Throughcare Program to support inmates once they leave the prison. Throughcare is an

Parklea sprouts a blue tree forest
Parklea Correctional Centre has recently been overrun by blue trees, and it’s all in the name of mental health. The Blue Tree Project was started

Inmate finds new lease on life through art for council
Indigenous art will brighten the walls of a Blacktown City Council childcare centre and teach the children about Aboriginal culture after an inmate donated his

Women lead the charge at Parklea graduation
Traditionally a male-dominated industry, this is the first time women have outnumbered men completing the prison’s 10-week Initial Training Course, with 13 women and 10

Guy uses wood to reshape inmates’ lives
Not everyone would say working with inmates each day is a privilege, but that’s how passionate Guy Blinman is about changing lives and reducing reoffending.

Food Bank Partnership
MTC-Broadspectrum is donating fresh, organic produce to Foodbank NSW & ACT (FBNA) under an ongoing partnership to help feed vulnerable Australians. The first harvest of