Funded by the GEO Group which runs the centre, the building was officially opened with a plaque unveiling and traditional smoking ceremony before inmates begin to use the facility this week.

Jail general manager Andy Walker said the building, made possible through a partnership between NSW TAFE and the jail, would provide inmates in specialised, or restricted, accomodation access to important programs towards their rehabilitation.

Despite the building being the first of two, Mr Walker said he was confident the centre would serve inmates well.

“We believe it will be successful,” he said. “It will be more successful because it has been built by inmates to be used by inmates, who will in turn look after it and keep it to our standards.”

Around 95 per cent of the building’s labour and furniture was provided by inmates, currently undertaking TAFE classes while in detention.

“We are also in the process of building a library resource centre in the same way,” Mr Walker said.

Offender services manager Col Caskie, who will oversee the delivery of progams in the building, said the centre would be used for classes and services, including education through to family services for inmates who are restricted to one area of the prison.

Due to this restriction, there offenders did not have access to the main part of the prison where the majority of services were located.

Not only will the centre serve in rehabilitation, but also in restricting prison movement.

NSW TAFE Riverina Institute’s Paul Hutchinson said the work carried out by inmates would go towards their education and qualifications in building and construction and shop fitting.

“This is just one example of how TAFE can work with the jail to provide meaningful education to inmates,” he said.

Each inmate who took part in the construction was awarded a certificate to make their achievements.

Plans are already in place to build a second multi-purpose centre within the jail to cater to more inmates.