Palen Creek Correctional Centre

Palen Creek Correctional Centre, established in 1934, is Queensland's first low-security prison farm, situated approximately 100 km southwest of Brisbane in the rural community of Rathdowney. Spanning 600 acres, the centre offers inmates vocational training in agriculture and animal husbandry, including hands-on experience with a herd of 400 Charolais cattle. Inmates also participate in community service programs, such as training assistance dogs and repurposing bicycles into wheelchairs for developing countries. The centre accommodates up to 290 prisoners onsite and up to 40 at offsite work camps, fostering rehabilitation and reintegration.