KIRKCONNELL Correctional Centre will be reopened within months, less than four years after it was controversially shut by the NSW Coalition government.
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Bathurst MP Paul Toole yesterday confirmed the government would spend $4 million upgrading the centre before it is reopened to house up to 260 minimum security inmates in 13 accommodation units.
The jail's closure in 2011 cost 20 staff their jobs and sparked loud protests across the Bathurst and Lithgow regions.
But Mr Toole would not be drawn yesterday on whether the decision to shut Kirkconnell was a mistake.
"Prisoner numbers were lower in 2011," Mr Toole said.
He said at the time the government gave an assurance that Kirkconnell would be reopened if prison populations were to increase, and it has honoured that promise.
The correctional centre and grounds have continued to be maintained since its closure.
"I'm pleased to see my lobbying of government ministers about getting Kirkconnell reopened has paid off," Mr Toole said.
He said when Kirkconnell closed 12 staff took up voluntary redundancies and 40 accepted positions at other jails including Bathurst, Lithgow and Oberon.
Now 60 corrections jobs ranging from manager to administrative personnel will be up for grabs prior to the jail becoming fully operational by the end of June.
Mr Toole said it would be up to management to determine if this will include former staff of the Kirkconnell Correctional Centre.
Bathurst Correctional Centre general manager Bill Fittler, who will oversee operations at Kirkconnell, said he expected there to be a lot of interest in working at the jail.
"We will certainly have a big pool of people to draw from. It's a great place to work," he said.
"I think this is fantastic news.
"There is a real need for these additional beds as the number of inmates increase across NSW."
Mr Fittler said upgrading work at Kirkconnell would be carried out by a combination of contractors and inmates.
