Celebrating five years of positive stories from Clarence Correctional Centre

As Clarence Correctional Centre marks its fifth anniversary this week, we reflect on the remarkable journey of this state-of-the-art facility operated by Serco on behalf of the NSW Government. Since its inception in 2020, the centre has focused on transforming the lives of those in our care. The cornerstone of the operation has been the safety and security of the centre for staff, visitors and inmates, finding innovative ways to support rehabilitation through programs and initiatives that foster community support and opportunities to make an impact on those both inside and outside the centre.

Since opening in 2020 the centre has successfully supported inmates on their journey to reintegration through programs, education, and training including:

• More than 1,000 individuals completed programs that support their rehabilitation.

• More than 1,050 learnt new life skills through personal development and wellbeing programs.

• More than 2,520 have graduated from education and training.

The centre also facilitates traineeships which support inmates in their journey to gaining meaningful employment upon release. These traineeships which take between 12-18 months to complete are a nationally recognised qualification that provide individuals with the skills and knowledge to work in a specific industry or trade. Recent graduates have gained their qualifications in laundry services, civil construction and hospitality.

Serco’s operator-led design of the centre has also seen the integration of advanced technology together with innovative programs to achieve the NSW Government’s goal of reducing recidivism and supporting inmates as they work towards reintegration. Clarence Correctional Centre was the first centre in NSW to introduce in-cell technology and secure messaging and establish programs with peer support instructors and innovative community projects.

In 2023 Serco's in cell tablet technology was featured as a case study at the International Corrections and Prisons Association Technology Conference sharing the human aspect of technology at Clarence Correctional Centre.

The human aspect of technology at Clarence Correctional Centre case study

Supporting First Nations inmates, programs and communities has been a focus of Clarence Correctional Centre since opening with the centre implementing culturally sensitive programs that address the unique needs of First Nations inmates, whilst continually ensuring they receive the support necessary for rehabilitation and reintegration. Connection to culture through community has created positive impact through various initiatives, including:

• successful delivery of houses to regional communities through The Aboriginal Housing Office in partnership with Corrective Services NSW;

• art experiences through projects in conjunction with Clarence Valley Council, including the Clarence Valley Indigenous Art Award and Streets and Shared Spaces;

•  NAIDOC and Close the Gap initiatives alongside Bulgarr Ngaru and Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation; and

•  ongoing collaboration with Gurehlgam Corporation including Domestic and Family Violence programs and interventions.

Since 2021, Serco staff and Clarence Correctional Centre inmates have also worked hand-in-hand alongside the Clarence Valley Community to deliver community partnerships that create a supportive environment to foster positive change. Serco has contributed more than $240,000 worth of in-kind support to the Jacaranda Festival, rebuilt fences for BlazeAid supporting 60 farmers who lost more than 13,000 hectares of land to fire and packing and distributing more than 100 hampers each Christmas for Anglicare North Coast for those in need.

Jacaranda Festival

 Thank You to Serco’s Purple Army! A huge shoutout to Serco’s Purple Army for their tireless work throughout the 2024 Grafton Jacaranda Festival! As one of our major sponsors, the Serco team hit the ground weeks prior to the festival, contributing over $140,000 in in-kind support! With more than 50 staff and 25 inmates from Clarence Correctional Centre, they have given over 2,800 hours to the festival, doubling their contribution from 2023. As a small but mighty committee, we couldn’t run the festival without Serco’s dedication to the community - Grafton Jacaranda Festival Committee

The Jacaranda Festival Committee and Clarence Valley community recently shared the importance of Serco being part of the festival and embedded in the community and how the work of our staff and inmates is helping the festival grow bigger every year.

Blaze Aid

“Thank you for your assistance with the Prison Inmates coming to work with us on the fire affected farms in Nymboida. Overall it is a great program that benefited both inmates, farmers and BlazeAid. I hope this community work can continue with BlazeAid as their time with us was immeasurable.” -  BlazeAid Camp coordinators, Greg and Karen

Anglicare North Coast

Serco staff from Clarence Correctional Centre asked inmates if they'd like to contribute, which they did. Financially, they gave what they could and then Serco matched that donation then they also came along to help us to put things into the hampers as part of their program. You know, most of them I imagine some time I'd done it really tough or their family, something a bit tough, so they were very happy to, to get involved and give back to the community. - Joanne Greensill CEO (former) Anglicare North Coast

Serco’s Clarence Correctional Centre General Manager, Scott Jacques believes the first five years of success can be put down to the dedicated team of 480 staff who all share the same vision of helping those in our care move towards a more rewarding and sustainable future for both themselves, their families and the communities to which they will ultimately return.

“The team at Clarence Correctional Centre is dedicated to transforming lives, reducing recidivism, and contributing to a safer and more inclusive society,” said Mr Jacques.

“The vital work they do every day is what has made the centre’s first five years such a success and highlights the resilience and compassion of our staff, who go above and beyond to make a positive impact on the lives of those in their care.”