A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman has revealed the $220 million expansion will involve refurbishments and extensions to buildings including the gatehouse, health centre, reception, administration and the Corrective Services Industries building.

The work will also involve an expansion of the Shine for Kids facility.

A building contractor is expected to be appointed in March, with work scheduled for completion late next year.

As reported by the Junee Southern Cross, the expansion will see the addition of 480 maximum security beds in new wings neighbouring the existing centre, increasing the prison’s population from 875 to 1355.

The move is set to create 130 construction, administration and correctional officer jobs.

It comes after the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research revealed the state’s prisoner population had reached 12,729 in a cramped system designed for 11,000 inmates.

The continued increase in prisoner numbers coincided with a 37% state-wide increase in prison assaults over the last two years, while the assault rate per 1,000 prisoners increased by 25 per cent.