The centre was operated by Corrective Services NSW an agency of the Department of Attorney General and Justice of the Government of New South Wales.

[1] Riots at Bathurst and problems at other correctional facilities during the 1970s resulted in the appointment of Justice John Nagle to conduct a Royal Commission to oversee reforms to the Australian penal system.

Sometimes they threatened to kill them.Accepting the Nagle Report in 1978, the Wran Labor government began prison reform under the leadership of Dr Tony Vinson.

Inmates from the centre make padded, waterproof Street Swags, distributed by national charities to alleviate the hardship of homelessness.

Serving time for traffic offences, a coronial inquest heard that threats were made against the prisoner's life by his cellmate whose sleep was disturbed by snoring.

[10] The women's wing was shut in November 2011, with female inmates transferred to the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre.

Grafton Gaol closed in August 2019 as planned after a considerable investment was made in the nearby Clarence Correctional Centre,[13][14] which was officially opened on 25 July 2020.

Grafton Gaol Complex originally consisted of a square compound, with brick walls, with one elaborate gatehouse providing access for staff, visitors and prisoners alike.

Male and female prisoners were completely segregated with separate cell ranges, exercise yards, bath houses and hospital facilities.

The Prison Governor's residence (now Administration block) was located outside the compound wall, adjacent to the main gatehouse.

Brick, with a sandstone trim and terracotta tiles, all characteristic materials of the Federation period, were used throughout the complex, the level of detail depending on the function of the building.