BEECHWORTH Correctional Centre celebrated a 20-year milestone running at its modern complex on Tuesday with the Minister of Corrections and the Corrections Victoria Commissioner travelling from Melbourne for the special occasion.

The minimum-security prison opened in 2005 replacing HM Prison Beechworth.

Minister for Corrections Enver Erdogan said the former prison HM Beechworth and Beechworth Correctional Centre have a combined 160-year history.

He said the goal of the prison system is to keep the community safe in the short term with the long-term investment in programs for employment prospects for the men in custody.

“This means men leave with confidence and skills when returning back into the community,” he said.

The minister said among programs such as working with injured wildlife for recovery, training rescue dogs in a partnership with Wodonga Dog Rescue, and in the environment helping Landcare benefited the men in gaining skills as well as the broader community.

Commissioner Larissa Strong said the day celebrated commitment, achievements and impacts made by officers and staff who have worked at the correctional centre over the last two decades.

“More than 6000 prisoners have spent time in the Beechworth Correctional Centre over the last 20 years,” she said.

“The Beechworth team have given those men the opportunity of a second chance to focus on their end date and their return to the community.”

The commissioner said part of the Beechworth facility's success was how well it combined its focus on reintegration with giving back to the local community.

She also said the contrast between the former 1860 jail compared to the 2005 commissioned correctional centre is a reminder of how far the prison has come.

Beechworth Correctional Centre’s general manager Patrick McCormick started working at the facility in October last year.

He said he was part of the de-commissioning team in the closure of the former Beechworth prison in 2004.

“I was also part of the commissioning team in the design and oversaw the building of this facility with its opening in 2005,” he said.

“It’s fantastic working in a release prison – one that is intrinsically linked to its local community.”

Mr McCormick said officers and staff have changed lives and will continue to influence, shape and change lives in the future.

All three officials praised the work of officers and staff for their work and service.

Staff presentations followed with five, 10, 15, 20, and 35 year service awards.

Among them the corrections centre operations manager Salley Hayden received a twenty-year service award.

Ms Hayden said she started in 2003, but awards can take time to be presented.

She said the 150 guests celebrated the special day.