Parramatta Correctional Centre
Parramatta Correctional Centre is a medium security short term Remand Centre and Transient Centre. It houses unsentenced and sentenced B and C classification male inmates, including Drug Court Sanctions. It is located 22km north-west of the Sydney central business district.
Parramatta Correctional Centre is Australia's oldest serving Correctional Centre. Parramatta Gaol was formally proclaimed on 2 January 1842 with progressive opening of wings up until approximately 1910. It was closed from 1918 to 1922 and again for a short period in 1997/1998.
Address
Cnr. Dunlop and New Streets
North Parramatta NSW 2151
Locked Mail Bag 2
North Parramatta NSW 1750
Phone: (02) 9683 0300
Facsimile: (02) 9630 3763
How to get there
Public Transport
Train to Parramatta Railway Station and board the route 623 bus to the centre. Alternatively it is a short taxi ride from the station.
City Rail Information
Private Transport
The Complex is located off O'Connell Street, North Parramatta with the entrance on the corner of Dunlop and New Streets. Car parking is only available on the public streets.
Visitor Information
Bookings:
Visits must be booked. Legal visits do not require bookings
Visit times:
8:45am, 9:15am, 9:45am, 10:15am, 12:45pm, 1:15pm, 1:45pm, and 2:15pm.
Conditions:
Mondays: No contact or legal visits.
Tuesdays: Legal Visits only.
Wednesday to Sunday & Public Holidays: Contact and Legal Visits
Industries
Parramatta has employment for approximately 180 inmates, including 45 who are employed in the "Technology Business Unit", which repairs electrical appliances for refurbishment.
Education
Education is currently serviced by two Education Officers, one full time and five part time teachers. There are a number of vocational training programs available at the centre, including:
- basic numeracy and literacy
- computing
- music
- aboriginal studies and art
There is also a wide range of courses run through TAFE and OTEN including:
- electronics
- First Aid
- Green Card (Occupational Health & Safety)
Welfare Services
Welfare is currently serviced by three Welfare Officers, who offer assistance to inmates in crisis welfare issues, including housing and family issues. They also provide inmates with contact with community agencies, including Housing Agency, DOCS, Centrelink and Legal Services.
Psychology Services
Psychology is currently serviced by two Psychologists, addressing inmates' needs in the area of crisis intervention, at risk, suicidal, stress management, anger management, mental health issues, general counselling for any other issues and factors relating to their offending behaviour.
Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
AOD is currently serviced by two Alcohol and Other Drug Workers and they run numerous programs, including Relapse Prevention, HIV Health Promotion, AA/NA groups and one on one counselling.
Religious Services
The centre has one full time Chaplain, who services all denominations and a number of visiting chaplains also attend the centre regularly. Church services are run daily and a Sunday morning service.
Drug Court Program
The first Australian Drug Court opened at Parramatta in February 1999. The Drug Court is a government initiative, which provides an opportunity for drug dependent offenders to participate in an intensive community based rehabilitation scheme.
4 Wing has facilities to accommodate up to 18 inmates on the Drug Court Program and the inmates are kept separated from the main stream population.