Bathurst Correctional Centre: Corrections officers allegedly breached Covid mask orders

Corrections officers were allegedly caught on tape refusing to wear masks and breaching health orders as the state’s prison system was ravaged by Covid.

NSW Police did not investigate alleged Public Health Order breaches at a regional prison, despite footage of officers allegedly refusing to wear personal protective equipment being circulated through Corrective Services NSW.

Attempted Prison Break

Multiple Corrective Services sources confirmed footage of officers at Bathurst Correctional Centre allegedly breaching public health orders throughout lockdown were circulated through the department, as staff claimed they were “suffering information fatigue” while raising issues with required masks.

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID IN THE PRISON SYSTEM

PART ONE: PARKLEA CORRECTIONAL CENTRE: OPERATORS DIDN’T ATTEND COVID BRIEFINGS UNTIL CASES ROSE TO 108

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PART THREE: CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ISSUED WARNING THEY COULD BE SACKED OVER VACCINE REFUSAL

The footage shows officers removing masks while in close proximity to each other, with a Corrections source telling NewsLocal transmission between unmasked officers “sparked a Covid cluster inside the prison walls”.

A general interior view of the Bathurst CC wings at Bathurst Correctional Centre. Courtesy CSNSW

Attempted Prison Break

“There are hours of footage of officers at Bathurst Correctional Centre not complying with Public Health Orders and Department PPE requirements,” the source said.

NewsLocal understands allegations of the breaches were passed onto NSW Police, however, a spokeswoman said the allegations were “handled internally”.

A CSNSW spokeswoman said it was “not uncommon for Corrective Services NSW staff to review CCTV footage, particularly when it relates to the safety and security of the centre”.

“Bathurst Correctional Centre staff were subject to the same strict requirements governing the use of personal protective equipment as staff in all NSW correctional centres,” she said.

“Failure to follow PPE requirements can result in misconduct action.”

NewsLocal asked CSNSW how many staff members at the Bathurst facility had returned positive Covid tests and what action, if any, had been taken against those refusing to wear PPE while at work, but they refused to comment.

Attempted Prison Break