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23 DECEMBER 2025
Corrective Services NSW staff and inmates across the state have been finding meaningful ways to give back to the community in the lead-up to Christmas.
Prisons and Community Corrections offices statewide have been collecting gifts and essentials for donation to local charities.
This is just one way that Corrective Services NSW keeps our communities safe by reducing reoffending and supporting rehabilitation.
For the past two years, staff at Broken Hill Correctional Centre have participated in the Lifeline Christmas Toy Drive, helping to support families in their local community.
“Looking beyond ourselves is a great way to enhance our own wellbeing, so we’re excited to have participated again this year,” Education Services Coordinator Kim Vodic said.
Staff at Cessnock Correctional Complex and Parramatta Community Corrections have proudly supported the 'Share the Dignity - It's in the Bag' charity drive.
More than 70 bags worth of essential items have been donated, which will go towards people experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or struggling to make ends meet this Christmas time.
At Glenn Innes Correctional Centre, minimum-security inmates have been assisting with unloading fresh produce and grocery items at the local food bank through a collaboration with a local church.
“It feels good to be able to give something back to the community, especially at this time of year when there are people doing it tough,” inmate Simon* said.
Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon said working over Christmas provides people in custody with the opportunity to contribute to the community in a positive way.
“This provides a sense of purpose, pride and connection, which can be an important step towards making positive changes in their lives,” Mr McCahon said.
Christmas can be a particularly challenging time for people in custody, so in the lead-up to Christmas Day, sites have been putting on festive activities to allow inmates to positively engage with the season.
On Christmas Day, inmates will be provided with a set menu. Lunch will consist of roast turkey with gravy, potatoes and seasonal vegetables, or a vegetarian option of mushrooms with roast vegetables and beans, served with a fruit mince pie. Dinner is pizza with pasta salad, or a vegetarian pizza salad, alongside a Christmas muffin.
“Corrective Services NSW operates a 24-hour service, 365 days a year, so I’d like to acknowledge our frontline staff who will be working this Christmas,” Mr McCahon said.
“Thank you for your commitment to making a difference for the people we manage and for keeping our prisons and communities safe throughout the holiday period.”