Staff will stop work at 11.30am and remain outside the Wellington prison for two hours.

Union members fear that if this privatisation goes ahead a similar thing could eventually happen in Wellington.

While the Government currently has no plans to privatise Wellington jail, union member Peter Lindley said it was still important to bring the privatisation issue to attention.

“If the Government is able to get Parklea privatised there remains a possibility of it eventually happening here,” he said.

“We want to make sure this never happens.

“We are protesting against the general practice of privatising prison services.”

Mr Lindley said a parliamentary inquiry into the privatisation of jails had recommended the Government not go ahead with Parklea.

“The inquiry suggested the Government give the unions a chance to cut their costs first,” he said.

“But the premier has decided to go ahead with it regardless.”

Minister for Corrective Services John Robertson said the Government had already ruled out privatising any other jails.

“I can reassure local residents and workers that private sector operation will not be introduced by this Government at Wellington jail,” he said.

“Wellington is the State’s newest correctional centre, supporting long-term employment and economic growth for the local community and we are committed to keeping it that way.”

According to Mr Robertson the upper house enquiry endorsed the Government’s position not to introduce private operation beyond Parklea Correctional Centre in Sydney where workers have the option of applying to stay, or transferring to one of eight publicly operated prisons within 25km.

lucy.rowles@ruralpress.co m