BORALLON Correctional Facility welcomed its staff and their families for a final celebration on Sunday before operator Serco handed the facility back to the Queensland Government.

After 22 years of housing some of the state's most notorious criminals, the prison grounds were full of laughing children posing for photos in the cells.

Among the staff saying their goodbyes to the prison was John McAuliffe, one of the first staff members at the prison.

He applied to be among the original staff intake after the accountancy firm he worked in went bust.

He brought his wife and mother-in-law to the open day to give them a taste of prison life.

He remembered his first shift as the prisoners from Brisbane's Boggo Rd were moved to the new facility.

"I don't think it really fazed me. Because I had worked as a manager and handled staff for years, I saw no difference," he said. "If you give them a bit of respect you get it back."

Mr McAuliffe is now working at the newly opened prison in Gatton. "It's a new jail, a new experience and a new atmosphere," he said.

Prison director Scott McMairn said Sunday was the only chance for staff and their families to be able to walk through the prison.

"We wanted to celebrate the prison and also some of the staff who have worked for 22 years from the first prisoners arrival and for them to come and have a look at the place," he said.

"It has been a bit emotional. Some of the staff have been here for a long time."

Mr McMairn said Borallon's success proved there was room for innovation within the constraints of the public sector.