Happy 90th to Palen Creek Correctional Centre
- Commonwealth’s first low custody prison farm opened in 1934
- Strong agricultural history and record of supporting the local community
- High-quality reformation programs delivered to break the cycle of offending
Palen Creek Correctional Centre in south-east Queensland is celebrating its 90th anniversary after it was opened as HM Prison Palen Creek in December 1934.
Palen Creek was the first open prison facility of its kind in the Commonwealth, relying on prisoners’ honour to remain on site and complete their sentence doing farm work and community service to build vocational skills and give back to the community.
Today, the 600-acre centre maintains an open campus rural environment and maximises opportunities for prisoners to engage in high-quality reformation programs to break the cycle of offending.
When the first group of prisoners were transferred to Palen Creek from Boggo Road Gaol in 1934, their first job was to clear the property and use the timber to construct buildings and huts, some of which still stand on site today.
In the early days, Palen Creek had a working piggery and dairy with 15 head of cattle and its first prize-winning bull. Milk produced by the herd was regularly provided to the Beaudesert butter factory for local supply, and to the general hospital and other government institutions.
The prison farm’s produce, such as potatoes, pumpkin and maize, continued to support the community over the decades, including supplying the Red Cross during World War II.
The strong farming focus remains today with opportunities for prisoners to build vocational skills in agriculture and animal husbandry. The centre prides itself on its herd of 400 Charolais with prisoners getting hands-on and learning about the breeding process and safe working with cattle to build employable skills to reduce the risk of reoffending.
In addition to farm work, Palen Creek low custody farm also delivers community service programs to give back, such as training assistance dogs and turning unwanted bicycles into wheelchairs for people in developing countries.
Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Paul Stewart APM remarked on the significant contribution Palen Creek Correctional Centre had made to the local community, and Queensland, in its 90 years.
“Palen Creek farm has been a success story from its early days, taking in low-risk prisoners to work on the land and build employable skills while giving back to the community,” Commissioner Stewart said.
“We are proud of the strong community links that were established back in the day and are maintained by our hardworking, dedicated officers and by the prisoners who use the meaningful employment and activities to break away from their offending behaviour.
“Congratulations to everyone who has played a role in running the Palen Creek farm, the centre has a proud history and bold future. I look forward to ongoing success in the future.”
Superintendent Somone Landry, General Manager, Palen Creek Correctional Centre said she was proud to lead a team of committed officers dedicated to helping offenders turn their lives around.
“Working in corrections can be challenging, but the team we have at Palen Creek have a great relationship with the prisoners, guiding them towards a more productive life away from crime and giving them opportunities to reach positive outcomes and gain the sense of achievement that deters them from a life of offending,” Superintendent Landry said.
“Ninety-years of ongoing operation is a remarkable record that I and the team will strive to continue for years to come.”
ENDS
