40 inmates a day clog public hospital ERs, sparking safety fears

UP to 40 prisoners a day are being escorted to hospital emergency departments for trivial ailments such as minor cuts, stitch removal and a bitten lip despite posing a risk to officers and the public. The issue erupted after the daylight escape of maximum security inmate Simon Way from John Hunter Hospital.

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DOZENS of dangerous prison inmates are being taken to public hospitals every day for trivial and non-urgent ailments because jail nurses are incapable of treating even minor complaints.

The prisoners mingle with the injured, elderly and young in public areas while they await treatment for trifling complaints such as minor cuts, stitch removal or a bitten lip.

Despite every prison having its own health centre, underqualified nurses mean the majority of inmates are being escorted to the nearest hospitals for basic medical care.

Officers at Silverwater Metropolitan Remand Centre escort up to 40 inmates a day to Westmead, Mount Druitt and Nepean hospitals.

The issue erupted after the daylight escape of maximum security inmate Simon John Way from John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle last year.

CCTV footage shows Way — convicted of assault, having a knife and obtaining property by deception — seated among patients and their families waiting to see doctors when he makes a break for it.

A handcuffed and shackled Siimon John Way is escorted by two guards to the John Hunter Hospital’s emergency room in Newcastle.

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Despite wearing hand and ankle cuffs, he managed to evade two prison officers who were escorting him.

The footage shows Way running through the public waiting room chased by the male and female officers before jumping from a rooftop outside the hospital.

The male officer draws his gun but does not fire.

The woman guard broke her leg in three places when she jumped from the roof during the pursuit.

Way, 36, was found shortly after hiding in the bush nearby following a massive police search.

The prison union, the Public Service Association (PSA), claimed Corrective Services NSW fined both officers over the incident, but the penalties were later withdrawn.

Way is left standing on his own in the middle of the packed emergency room.

A PSA spokesman said neither officer should have been on escort duty as they were inexperienced casuals. It is understood the female ­officer has yet to return to duty.

Last month, prison officer Timothy Thornton was formally warned for lying down on the job while escorting a medium security inmate at Dubbo Base Hospital.

The union wants the state government to review jail medical facilities to enable inmates to be treated for minor ailments without leaving prison, along with a ban on casual officers being used as escorts.

Way is then escorted by the female guard to the waiting area.

Way is seated amongst public hospital patients as he waits to see a doctor

Many prison nurses are still trainees or enrolled, rather than fully registered, and are keen to hand more complicated cases to hospital doctors. Also, many inmates demand immediate medical attention rather than waiting for the next visit by a jail doctor.

PSA prison officers vocational branch industrial officer David McCauley said the lack of registered nurses able to conduct basic medical care meant prison officers were putting their safety and that of the public at risk by having to go to hospital.

Way makes a run for it when the guards are not looking.

Way bursts out the door with the male guard in pursuit.

Way seemingly has a clear run through the hospital grounds.

Despite tripping, Way manages to escape the hospital grounds.

“At any point in time, there will be around 50 inmates on an escort to a hospital,” Mr McCauley said. “This is not about denying prisoners their right to health care, it is about the safety of officers and patients.

“It is also about not using casual and inexperienced officers on escorts.”

Medical facilities for jails are provided by the Justice Health and Forensic Health Network, which operates in 90 locations across the state while also overseeing Long Bay Hospital.

Inmates who feel unwell can make an appointment to see a visiting doctor or request to go to the prison health centre to see a nurse.

However, a survey of prison officers last week revealed many hospital visits were for non-urgent ailments.

Among them was an inmate who was taken to emergency at midnight after discovering a boil on his back.

Prison officers at Broken Hill Correctional Centre said they regularly escorted inmates to hospital for removal of stitches. At Long Bay Jail, three prison officers were forced to ­escort an inmate to Prince of Wales emergency for “a cut on his finger about 1cm long,” one officer claimed.

“We waited three hours in accident and emergency,” he said.

The male prison guard draws his gun and aims at Way, but does not shoot.

A Corrective Services spokeswoman said the department worked collaboratively with Justice Health to ensure the safety and security of staff.

“We regularly meet to discuss ways to improve our policies and processes and also consult with the unions on these matters,” she said. “Neither officer was fined over this incident.”

A Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network spokeswoman said prisoners had access to an extensive range of health services within jails.

“Where specialist or emergency care is required, patients are transferred for treatment in local hospitals,” she said.