Media release: The management of radicalised inmates in NSW prisons

6 June 2018

The Inspector of Custodial Services has released a report on the management of radicalised inmates in the NSW prison system.

The report is the result of inspections carried out at Goulburn, Lithgow and Mid North Coast Correctional Centres; High Risk Management Correctional Centre; and Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre. Over 200 Corrective Services New South Wales (CSNSW) staff were consulted, as well as executive and specialist staff as part of the inspections.

The Inspection found no evidence of widespread radicalisation in NSW prisons. However, the risk remains and vigilance is required. “Recent terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia have been committed by people who have spent time in custody”.

Inspector of Custodial Services, Fiona Rafter, said “CSNSW and its staff are very conscious of community concern about the threat of terrorism and public scrutiny of how national security inmates are managed.” The Inspection found CSNSW and its staff has well established practices to counter terrorism in prisons and manage extremists in custody.

Managing violet extremism and preventing radicalisation in prison is a global issue and a fast developing area of policy and practice. “This is a population that requires a strategic approach and specialist resources,” said Ms Rafter.

In total the report makes 50 recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of current strategies including:

• establishing a dedicated unit to lead and advise on managing violent extremists
• increasing intelligence capacity and capability
• enhancing information sharing with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies
• ensuring management and security regimes do not reinforce extremist views and prevent disengagement
• ensuring classification and placement is informed by individual risk assessments
• providing rehabilitation services and disengagement programs
• providing staff with additional tools and training
• enhancing services to Muslim inmates to reduce vulnerability to radicalisation.

The Inspector of Custodial Services was established in October 2013 to provide independent oversight of the NSW correctional system, including Corrective Services NSW and Juvenile Justice NSW.