The Shortland Correctional Centre, in Cessnock, provides new accommodation for 330 maximum-security inmates, and includes 486 surge beds across three buildings. Supporting facilities include exercise yards, movement control and health buildings, an industries and programs building, general stores building, associated offices and surveillance posts, and recreational facilities. These new additions give inmates full access to a range of rehabilitative jobs and programs which aid in prisoner rehabilitation by addressing offending behaviour and equipping inmates with the knowledge, skills and training they need to gain employment post-release.  Additional works included an upgrade and expansion of the existing 250-bed security prison in which the existing gatehouse was refurbished to enable the old and new facilities to operate from a single hub. Connecting the facilities while maintaining security at all times in a live prison precinct was imperative and joining the new security system required significant interface planning and careful execution.  The work involved the full upgrade of the electronic security system, introduction of innovative modular cell accommodation blocks with fully automated water management systems throughout, new secure perimeter and integration to the existing sterile zone, and upgrade of High Voltage Infrastructure to accommodate the new works. Judges were impressed with the detailed planning that ensured that Shortland Correctional Centre, the first new prison to be finished under the Prison Bed Capacity Program, was completed ahead of an accelerated completion program within a live maximum security prison precinct, on budget and to the required high standards.