Media release: Inspector of Custodial Services releases four reports November 2020

30 November 2020

The Inspector of Custodial Services (ICS) Fiona Rafter has released four reports into six custodial facilities and one residential facility within New South Wales (NSW).

Macquarie Correctional Centre and Hunter Correctional Centre

The Inspection of Macquarie Correctional Centre (MCC) and Hunter Correctional Centre (HCC) report involved the inaugural inspections of the two centres, two dormitory-style prisons also known as the ‘Rapid Builds’.

This report outlines the advantages of a long structured day focused on inmate participation in programs, education and employment and the importance of aligning these with the needs of a correctional centre’s inmate population. It makes 33 recommendations aimed at maintaining the safe operation of the centres and supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.

Kariong and Kirkconnell Correctional Centres and the Integration Support Centre

The Kariong and Kirkconnell Correctional Centres and the Integration Support Centre (ISC) report looked at two regional male correctional centres and the ISC, a residential facility that provides accommodation and support to people after they are released from custody. All three facilities accommodate people who have or have had placement and association issues while in custody. The report makes 15 recommendations.

Cooma Correctional Centre and Oberon Correctional Centre

The Inspection of Cooma Correctional Centre report and the Inspection of Oberon Correctional Centre report involved the inspections of two regional centres which experience extreme weather conditions from heat and bush fires in the summer to below zero temperatures which regularly bring snow during the winter months. The Oberon Correctional Centre inspection was conducted remotely to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 impacting upon prisons. This was the first correctional centre inspection to be conducted remotely.

Cooma Correctional Centre is a medium security facility constructed in the 1870s. It also operates a small minimum security area near the main centre. The centre has two High Intensity Program Units providing rehabilitation programs to inmates. Oberon Correctional Centre is a minimum security facility that plays an integral part in managing young offenders through their participation in the Young Adult Offender Program. Both centres are strongly supported by their management and staff as well as their local communities. A total of 35 recommendations have been made to enhance the operation of program delivery and conditions for staff and inmates at both centres.

The ICS was established in October 2013 to provide independent oversight of the NSW correctional system including Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) and Youth Justice.

The ICS is required to inspect each adult custodial facility in NSW once every five years and report findings to parliament. CSNSW and Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network were consulted as part of the inspections.