Changes to NSW correctional centres

The Minns Government announced on 6 August 2026 through a Ministerial Release upcoming changes to a number of metropolitan correctional centres. These changes took effect on 1 October 2026.

Relevant documents

• 6 August 2026 NSW Government Ministerial Release

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Quick takeaways

• From 1 October 2026 the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC) is the central 24-hour, seven-day-a-week metropolitan intake hub

• Amber Laurel Correctional Centre, the previous 24-hour intake hub has ceased operations

• Silverwater Women's Correctional Centre has transitioned to a 30-bed facility, as previously announced on 20 March 2026

• Mary Wade Correctional Centre has transitioned from a male correctional centre to a women's correctional centre focused on external leave and work release

• Parklea Correctional Centre has transitioned from private management to public management effective 1 October 2026

What changed and when?

The Minns Government has announced a number of changes to metropolitan NSW correctional centres after identifying that the current system as being no longer fit for purpose with an increase to the NSW prison population and an increase to the number of people being held on remand.

One of the most significant changes was the closing of Amber Laurel Correctional Centre and MRRC (the State's main reception centre) becoming the central 24-hour, seven-day-a-week correctional centre from 1 October 2026. Previously MRRC did not accept new inmates each afternoon which resulted in people remaining in police custody until space becomes available.

Another significant change was the transition of Parklea Correctional Centre from a private prison to a Government-managed prison which will also took effect on 1 October 2026. Other changes include the previously announced transition at Silverwater Women's Correctional Centre to a 30-bed facility and Mary Wade Correctional Centre transition from a male correctional centre to a women's correctional centre focused on external leave and work release.

Keeping up to date with criminal law

Changes to correctional centres can have significant impacts on clients held in custody as the technology from correctional centres and police custody differ which can greatly impact the ability of practitioners to get in contact with their clients. LEAP Legal Software's criminal law content is maintained by practising lawyers to keep you up to date with all things relevant to the practice of criminal law.