Ray Hadley is broadcasting live from the Macquarie Correctional Centre, where prisoners are put to work to build new skills.

The jail houses some of the most notorious inmates in NSW.

It is lauded as one of the least-problematic prisons in the country.

Macquarie Correctional Centre Governor Brad Peebles told Ray Hadley he was sceptical about the innovative prison at first, admitting he thought the Commissioner was “stark-raving mad”.

But the prison doesn’t house all types of criminals, although there are four inmates who have been sentenced to life in prison.

“We don’t take sex offenders or gang members,” Governor Peebles told Ray, “but we are happy to take any gang member that’s willing to renounce their colours.”

“They mix here quite happily together.”

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Like Ray, correctional officers Mick Williams and Andrew Fileman were visiting the prison for the first time today.

Mick Williams and Andrew Fileman

The corrective services veterans described the facility as “the next generation” of prisons and a “positive move towards reintegration”.

Press PLAY below to hear what they say sets the Macquarie Correctional Centre apart 

Correctional officers Darren and Robert told Ray they’ve been taking a TAFE course with inmates to equip them with transferable skills for post-prison life.

“The way the inmates have taken to it is fantastic and the way we bounce of each other, you just would not expect it in a maximum [security] prison.”

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