AGY-507 | Training and Detention Centre for Women, Silverwater (1969-1971) / Mulawa Training and Detention Centre for Women, Silverwater (1971-1996) / Mulawa Correctional Centre (1996-2007) / Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre (2007- )

Full description

The Training and Detention Centre for Women at Silverwater was officially opened on 21 November 1969 for the purpose of holding all female inmates committed to prison in NSW. In his report for 30 June 1970, the Commissioner for Corrective Services observed "The provision of tastefully appointed rooms, each accommodating several inmates, represents a major development in the Department's Program Planning of the Training and Detention Centre at Silverwater has included facilities for a complete training and treatment program, based on the requirements on the individual and the need for an integrated approach to the special problems which confront a group of females in detention. (1) This Centre was first proclaimed a prison in 1969 under the name of "The Training and Detention Centre for Women, Silverwater." (2)

The name of the prison was changed by proclamation to "Mulawa Training and Detention Centre for Women, Silverwater" in 1971. (3) It housed nearly all female prisoners in NSW and provided a complex educational, cultural, social and recreational program for women. (4)

This prison was deproclaimed in 1996. However, in the same issue of the Gazette the prison was immediately reproclaimed and the name changed to Mulawa Correctional Centre. (5)

In 2006 redevelopment of Mulawa Correctional Centre began including a new gatehouse, vehicle and pedestrian entry, administration building, a perimeter upgrade, a new clinic and a Mental Health Screening Unit. (6) At the official opening of the new gatehouse, the Department announced the name of the centre to be changed to Silverwater Women's Correctional Centre (SWCC). (7)

The Mum Shirl Unit at the Correction Centre opened on 11 June 2009 providing intensive mental health support and complemented other facilities at the SWCC including the Mental Health Screening Unit, Mental Health Step Down Unit, Reception Unit, Drug Court Unit and a detox clinic. (8)

When the Department of Corrective Services was abolished on 1 July 2009 SWCC became responsible to Corrective Services NSW. (9)

Endnotes
1. Report of the Department of Corrective Services for the year ended 30 June, 1970 p. 20 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1969-70-71 Vol. 3, p.20.
2. NSW Government Gazette No. 114, 26 September 1969, p. 3835.
3. ibid., No. 60, 4 June 1971, p. 1864.
4. New South Wales Year Book, 1985, p. 165.
5. NSW Government Gazette No. 20, 16 February 1996, p. 672; NSW. Department of Corrective Services. "An analysis of NSW Prison Proclamations" compiled by Denis Fitzpatrick. Sydney, The Department, 1996.
6. Department of Corrective Services, Annual Report 2005-2006, p.25.
7. Department of Corrective Services, Annual Report 2006-2007, p.52.
8. Department of Corrective Services, Annual Report 2008-2009, p.25.
8. Public Sector Employment and Management (Departmental Amalgamations) Order 2009 (2009 No 352) cls. 20; notified on NSW Legislation website, 27 July 2009.