AGY-508 | Periodic Detention Centre, Newcastle (1974-1976) / Tomago Periodic Detention Centre (1976-by 2011)

Full description

The ‘Periodic Detention Centre, Newcastle’ was declared a prison on 21 August 1974, following the Periodic Detention Act, 1970, which came into effect in February 1971. The prison was located on 3 acres of land in the Shire of Port Stephens, Parish of Stockton and County of Gloucester. (1)

By 1976, the Periodic Detention Centre, Newcastle was known as Tomago Periodic Detention Centre. (2)

Female inmates were briefly introduced to the Centre from 1978 and the Tomago Women's Detention Centre was established. (3)

On 15 December 1980 the Tomago Detention Centre for Women was closed as a gaol for women. The was a result of a new cell block for women which had been opened at Mulawa and the availability of additional accommodation for female offenders at the Norma Parker Centre. Tomago operated from this date as a periodic detention centre for male offenders. (4)

Prisoners serving short sentences (3-12 months) were confined to prison at weekends but lived in their own homes and attended work during the week. (5)

When the Department of Corrective Services was abolished on 1 July 2009 Tomago Periodic Detention Centre became responsible to Corrective Services NSW. (6)

Tomago Periodic Detention Centre was closed as a Periodic Detention Centre in 2010/11 and refurbished to be used as a Community Offender Support Program Centre. This was a result of a change in legislation from 1 October 2010 when periodic Detention ceased to be a sentencing option and the new community sentencing option, Intensive Correction Order, began. (7) Tomago Community Offender Support Program centre officially opened in 2012 with 67 residents. (8)

Endnotes
1. NSW Government Gazette No.110, 13 September 1974, p.3549; Official Year Book of New South Wales, 1974, p.739.
2. NSW Government Gazette No.108, 27 August 1976, p.3695.
3. NSW Government Gazette No.62, 18 April 1980, p.1918.
4. NSW Department of Corrective Services, Annual Report 1980-1981, p.14.
5. Department of Corrective Services, Annual Report, Year Ended 30 June 1995, p.109.
6. Public Sector Employment and Management Departmental Amalgamations Order 2009 (2009 No 352), cls. 20; NSW Legislation Website, 27 July 2009.
7. Corrective Services NSW, Annual Report 2010-2011, p.87.
8. Corrective Services NSW, Annual Report 2011-2012, p.89.

References
- New South Wales Government Gazette. Sydney, Government Printer. 1832.
- Official Yearbook of New South Wales, 1904/5 - 1988. Sydney, Government Printer, 1906-1988.
- Department of Corrective Services, Annual Report, Year Ended 30 June 1995
- NSW Department of Corrective Services. "An analysis of NSW Prison Proclamations compiled by Denis Fitzpatrick. Sydney, The Department, 1996."