St Heliers Correctional Centre
St Heliers Correctional Complex is a minimum security institution for males situated on the outskirts of Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley, 128km north-west of Newcastle and 242km north of Sydney.
The Complex holds a maximum of 256 inmates and has a total of 71 staff, including 39 Custodial Officers.
Location
PO Box 597
McCullys Gap Road
Muswellbrook NSW 2333
Phone: (02) 6543 1166
How to Get There
Public Transport
The nearest railway station is Muswellbrook. It is located in Market Street approximately 6km from the Complex.
City Rail Information
| Services from Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | Saturday & Sunday | ||
| Depart Sydney | Arrive Muswellbrook |
Depart Sydney | Arrive Muswellbrook |
| 5:15 am | 10:02 am | 3:15 pm | 7:31 pm |
| 1:15 pm | 5:51 pm | 11:15 pm | 5:45 am |
| 3:15 pm | 7:33 pm | - | - |
| 11:15 pm | 5:01 am | - | - |
| Services from Muswellbrook | |||
| Monday to Friday | Saturday & Sunday | ||
| Depart Muswellbrook | Arrive Sydney |
Depart Muswellbrook | Arrive Sydney |
| 6:12 am | 10:30 am | 6:56 am | 11:09 am |
| 10:10 am | 3:10 pm | 9:01 pm | 4:34 am |
| 7:01 pm | 12:10 am | - | - |
| 8:45 pm | 4:44 am | - | - |
Tel: (02) 6543 2045 for further details.
There is no public bus service currently available to the Complex. Visitors are required to arrange their own transport to the Complex. A one way taxi fare to the Complex costs approximately $14 on a Saturday and up to $17 on a Sunday / Public Holiday.
There is also a Community Restorative Centre (CRC) bus which runs on the first Sunday of each month from different locations in Sydney, to Muswellbrook.
To book a seat on this bus contact CRC on (02)9288 8700.
Private Transport
St Heliers Correctional Complex is located approximately 6km from the Muswellbrook CBD. Travel north through Muswellbrook along the New England Highway, turn right into Sandy Creek Road and continue for approximately 2km. Take the first turn to the left. Follow the signs to the Complex. There is limited parking available at the Complex.
Visitor Information
Bookings:
Not required.
Visit times:
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays 9:00am - 3:00pm.
Conditions:
- All visitors must be registered.
- Visitors will be required to supply proof of identification, including photo ID.
- Up to 4 persons, excluding children under 10 years, will normally be allowed for each visit.
- No food or drinks are allowed to be brought into the institution. However, selected food and drinks etc. can be purchased from the Visits Canteen situated in the Visits area. Please remember to bring change as none is available (maximum $30 per adult – coins only).
- You may bring 1 packet of unopened cigarettes on a visit, but you may not leave any behind, and inmates are not permitted to take them back to their units. (No cigarette lighters – matches only).
- You may leave new underwear and socks for the inmate that you are visiting.
- You may leave cash for the inmate you are visiting (maximum $100 per week in total). All money must be handed in at the visits office to be processed. A receipt will be issued. Cash is not to be given to the inmate during visits.
Legal Visits
8:30 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Prior notification by phone or letter required.
Industries
Five Business Units employ a total of 170 inmates who undertake training programs in beef production, vegetable farming, welding, spray painting, furniture refurbishment, vegetable preparation, farm, laundry. Six service industries, including catering, ground maintenance, building maintenance, and domestic work, employ 86 inmates.
Education
Inmates are encouraged to participate in the following courses which are subject to change.
| AEVTI Courses | NSW TAFE Courses |
|---|---|
|
|
Special Programs
The Complex runs a Mobile Outreach Program and community projects to re-integrate inmates into society.
Community Involvement
Development and maintenance of community recreational, sporting and tourist areas; ground maintenance of Memorial Drive and local cemeteries; building and maintenance of the Riding for the Disabled Centre; restoration of community halls; assisting local bushfire brigade services; restoration of disaster-affected areas; local, regional and State community promotions and charity activities.
History
The Correctional Complex property of 480 hectares is part of the original "St Heliers" property, which was settled by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Dumaresq and named after a town on the Isle of Jersey.
The property passed hands several times before being bought by the State Government in 1945. It was used as a child welfare institution until its closure in 1986.
The property was purchased by Corrective Services from the Agency of Youth and Community Services in 1988. After major refurbishment it opened as a Correctional Centre in September 1989.