NSW top cop warns cell overcrowding putting ‘unprecedented strain’ on force

One state’s top cop has called an emergency meeting to address overcrowded holding cells putting an “unprecedented strain” on the police force.

Overcrowded holding cells in NSW are putting an “unprecedented strain” on the police force, prompting an emergency meeting on Sunday.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Sunday called a meeting with the Commissioner of Corrective Services over inmates “languishing” in police cells.

Commissioner Webb said a gridlock across the jail system had led to “cell ramping”, with bail-refused inmates locked up in police stations for days.

“Our job is to arrest and lock people up when they break the law, we are not an indefinite departure lounge for people in custody,” she said.

“This bottleneck is consuming police time and resources which could otherwise service the community.

“We need a plan to allow officers to do their job and get back out on the street.”

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has called an emergency meeting with the Commissioner of Corrective Services over inmates “languishing” in police cells. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The Commissioner launched a six-month data analysis of police movement at the start of February, to measure the “real impact” prisoner transport was having on police resources.

Police said the initial snapshot in November showed the strain on police manpower was “significant”.

“I will be meeting with unions and Corrective Services to resolve this issue as soon as possible,” Commissioner Webb said.

“While we are happy to support our colleagues at Corrective Services, this issue needs to be resolved at the highest level.

“We are not minders for people in custody, we are a police force.”

Commissioner Webb launched a six-month data analysis at the start of February to measure the impact prisoner transport was having on police resources. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Police said the issue had “spiked” after centralised bail audio visual link (AVL) was introduced in November last year.

Surry Hills and Amber Laurel Correctional Centres serve as intake and transit centres for the metropolitan police bail-refused custodies.

Police said the changes to centralised bail processes has seen an increase in delays to long-term intakes, due to corrections’ facilities stating they are at full capacity.

This has led to cases where people have remained in police cells for extended periods, some up to several days, police say.

“This is not only a police resourcing issue, it’s a human rights issue,” Commissioner Webb said.

Originally published as NSW top cop warns cell overcrowding putting ‘unprecedented strain’ on force