Established as a working dairy farm in 1914, the Emu Plains Prison Farm accommodated male inmates as part of a process of rehabilitation through farming. The centre was remodelled in 1957 as Emu Plains Training Centre and again in 1976 as Emu Plains Detention Centre. In 1994, the centre was again remodelled and all male inmates were transferred to other correctional facilities, with the Emu Plain Correctional Centre created as a minimum security prison for women.[2]
In 1996 a women's and children's program was established that permitted inmates to maintain closer contact with their children. The program allows some children to stay with their mother in custody and also allows inmates to make recordings of book readings for their children.[3]
Inmates were employed in the dairy for dairy processing,[4] and previously assisted in the breeding and training of assistance dogs to help people with disabilities.[5][6] Emu Plains also ran a work release program.
Notable prisoners
Anu Singh[7] – convicted for the 1997 murder of her boyfriend.