Name unveiled for Queensland’s newest men’s high security prison

• The new prison will be called Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre in recognition of the connection to the region and community.
• 1536-bed centre will have modern facilities with a health and rehabilitation focus.
• Once fully operational, the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre will support a workforce of hundreds with a variety of skills and backgrounds.
• Construction has already put $547m into Lockyer Valley with local trade and employment.

Minister for Police and Corrective Services Mark Ryan today announced that the new men’s high-security prison 12 kilometres north-east of Gatton would be known as the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre.

The name of the 1,536 bed facility reflects its connection to the community, and it will become one of the region’s largest employers when complete.

Construction of the centre has already put $547 million into the local economy with more than 86 per cent of trade packages going to people from the region, as well as more than 130,000 hours invested in training to date.

The operating model of the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre represents a new direction for Queensland Corrective Services with many services and programs to be delivered onsite, including alcohol and drug rehabilitation.

The centre will be staffed by hundreds of custodial correctional officers as well as onsite allied health staff who will provide a range of services such as mental health, at-risk and criminogenic intervention.

Other roles will include dog squad officers, trade instructors, cultural liaison officers and administration staff.

Queensland Corrective Services has launched a recruitment campaign for people who are looking to unlock their job and lifestyle potential at the new correctional centre.

The campaign encourages people to come and work and live in the Lockyer Valley region and enjoy the benefits of a career in corrections as well as good pay, job security and a great work/life balance.

Quotes attributable to the Honourable Mark Ryan, Minister for Police and Corrective Services:

“The new Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre will geographically be the biggest centre in Queensland, the size of 16.5 Suncorp stadiums, bringing substantial ongoing job prospects and economic support to the Lockyer Valley.

“We have awarded trade packages valued at about $547 million to date. 

“I’ve spoken to Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Mayor Tanya Milligan, who supports naming the new centre the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, as it’s a project that’s delivering economic opportunities to the whole region.”

“This project has generated jobs for Lockyer Valley locals, with more than 130,000 hours invested in training to date, which significantly contributes to the region’s prosperity.

“Once the centre is open, the workforce will be in the many hundreds – that’s hundreds of good, secure and ongoing jobs for people within the region looking to get involved in keeping Queensland communities safe.”

Quotes attributable to Mr Paul Stewart APM, Commissioner, Queensland Corrective Services:

“Progress at the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre at Gatton has been amazing, and the site is a hive of activity.

“As buildings come into shape it is looking more and more like a modern, fit-for-purpose centre every day. 

“When we open, we will need a substantial workforce to operate the centre and are looking for people with different skills to enable us to provide onsite services and programs for the health and rehabilitation of prisoners.

“We look forward to becoming a bigger part of the Lockyer Valley community.”

Media note: vision of construction accessed via below link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/npgj8r6tdpod97lf52u49/h?rlkey=nn8okjlspaynrhei2zb3z7ed8&dl=0

Fast facts and further information:

Construction of Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre

• More than 86 per cent of current trade packages ($547 million) awarded to date have been to local suppliers within a 125-kilometre radius.
• More than 1.3 million hours of work carried out onsite since works started. 
• More than 1700 workers have been inducted to site, with more than 130,000 hours invested in training to date.
• About 30,000m3 of concrete has been used onsite, equivalent to 12 Olympic size swimming pools.
• More than 11km of fencing will secure the site, with 34km of razor wire and 1830 secure doors.

Jobs at Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre:

• For more information about how to join the front line of public safety at QCS, head to: https://corrections.qld.gov.au/gatton

• The total remuneration package for a QCS Custodial Correctional Officer ranges from $81,645 to $117,152 which includes base salary plus allowances and employer superannuation contributions. Custodial Correctional Officers work a compressed seven-day fortnight.

ENDS