Ice inquiry head calls for urgent investigation into drug use in jails

The former crown prosecutor who ran a NSW inquiry into ice use has renewed his call for a probe into drugs in jails — more than two years after his “urgent” plea was ignored.

The former crown prosecutor who ran the highly publicised inquiry into ice has renewed his call for a probe into drug use in NSW jails — more than two years after his “urgent” plea was ignored.

“I had no idea how bad the problem was in the jail until I ran this inquiry,” Professor Dan Howard SC said.

“I came away from that inquiry shaking my head … The help that prisoners are not ­getting is extraordinary. We have really dropped the ball on this opportunity.”

Prof Howard handed down 109 recommendations to address the scourge in NSW in 2020 following the Special Inquiry into the Drug Ice.

Since then the NSW government has failed to act on the recommendations outside of immediately rejecting five of them — one of which focused on implementing needle and syringe programs in NSW due to the number of inmates who use intravenously inside.

Prisoners say it is as easy to get drugs in jail as it is outside of prison.

“There should be a separate and urgent inquiry into the presence of drugs in … jail,” Prof Howard said.

“This is a lost opportunity for society to help these persons who often leave jail with the same drug problem they came in with — and so the cycle continues.”

Former inmates said that instead of receiving help to fight their addictions, they were taught how to “safely” use needles.

Jeff Amatto, who spent time custody while battling a heroin addiction, said he had seen as many as 30 men line up and use the same needle.

“Nothing changed from when I was sent to jail … it was just as easy for me to get drugs in jail as it was out,” he said.

“I saw people go in (to jail) for a driving offence and come out with a heroin addiction.”

Mr Amatto said there were no programs offered to help drug users or courses to prepare for life on the outside.

A proud Wiradjuri man, his life changed 12 years ago, when he was accepted into a cultural rehab program designed specifically for Aboriginal men. The program lead him to establish organisation More Cultural Rehabs Less Jails, to help men who struggle with addiction.

He travels across the country, offering support to people who have been in situations similar to his - and is lobbying for more cultural rehab centres to stop people suffering with addiction ending up in jail.

“It’s not the magic wand but it does give us a better result for these men,” he said.

“And unlike jail, we can connect them to services, help their families, there are so many positive ripple effects.

A mum of an ice-addicted son who has been in jail seven times said the vicious cycle was exacerbated by the huge supply of ice circulating in jails.

“It’s easy to get, much easier than getting any treatment, that’s for sure,” the woman said.

A Corrective Services NSW spokesman said a “comprehensive” response to substance abuse had been implemented in jails across the state – including harm and demand reduction strategies.

According to Corrective Services, more than 3200 inmates participated in alcohol or drug program interventions in 2020-2021, in addition to the 3371 inmates who received one-on-one addiction support.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Ice inquiry head calls for urgent investigation into drug use in jails