Correctional centre renamed to honour fallen officer

Last published on 06 May 2020 

A Sydney correctional centre has been officially renamed to honour the memory of fallen officer Geoffrey Pearce OAM, who died in 1997.

Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Peter Severin announced the Outer Metropolitan Multi-Purpose Correctional Centre near Windsor, would now be known as the Geoffrey Pearce Correctional Centre.

“This new name pays tribute to the bravery and commitment of correctional officer Geoffrey Pearce, who sadly died in 1997 after after being stabbed by an inmate with an HIV-contaminated syringe in 1990,” Mr Severin said.

“His name is also a reminder of the often dangerous and challenging situations ourncorrectional officers face each day, serving the people of NSW with integrity and an unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe. I thank you for your service.”

The Geoffrey Pearce Correctional Centre is housed at the John Morony Correctional Complex, which was renamed as Francis Greenway Correctional Complex.

Greenway was an English-born architect who came to Australia as a convict in 1814 and went on to become Australia's first government architect.

The name changes were made in consultation with the Pearce family and frontline staff at the complex.
The Geoffrey Pearce Correctional Centre (formerly Outer Metropolitan Multi-Purpose) opened in 2000 and can house up to 380 male minimum and medium security inmates.

As part of the NSW Government’s $3.8 billion prison investment in prisons, the centre was
upgraded to provide improved work and educational opportunities, and expanded access to voluntary drug treatment and other programs that help reduce reoffending.

The Francis Greenway Correctional Complex houses three prisons: John Morony, Dillwynia and Geoffrey Pearce correctional centres.

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