Case of sexual relationship between guard and prisoner prompts minister to probe options
MINISTER for Corrections David Elliott wants to increase penalties for sex in jail, instructing Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin to set up a Taskforce.
NSW
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MINISTER for Corrections David Elliott wants to increase penalties for sex in jail, instructing Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin to set up a Taskforce.
Mr Elliott said he was “appalled” after it was revealed a prison guard at a NSW mid-north coast jail was suspended amid claims she was in a relationship with an inmate.
“I have instructed Commissioner Severin to establish a Taskforce to investigate allegations of inappropriate and sexual relationships between inmates and correctional staff following a meeting this afternoon.
“The Taskforce will be led by an independent person and examine all allegations in the last 10 years involving current and former staff. The terms of reference will be finalised within seven days.
“I have also instructed the Department of Justice Secretary to provide options for an increase to the penalties for misconduct. This will include sexual and inappropriate relationships between inmates and correctional staff.”
A police killer and a female guard who were alleged to be having sex in prison were under surveillance for more than a month before Corrective Services suspended the officer and transferred the prisoner to Goulburn Supermax.
Corrective Services are powerless to charge prisoner Sione Penisini, who shot dead police officer Glenn McEnallay in 2002, or the guard with any criminal offence.
“It is not a criminal act but it is a breach of the code of conduct,’’ Mr Elliott said yesterday.
The Daily Telegraph understands the minister’s office is now looking at ways to make sex between prisoners and staff a criminal offence.
The NSW Police Association has attacked Mr Elliott and Mr Severin after Radio 2GB announcer Ray Hadley revealed on Monday that Penisini was having sex with prison guard Amy Connors while he was in maximum security at the Mid-North Coast correctional centre at Kempsey.
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“If Elliott and Severin were doing their jobs, every cop killer would be rotting away in Supermax,’’ Police Association president Tony King said yesterday.
“It’s a direct slap in the face of every officer, all of us who have worn the blue shirt.”
The woman was suspended on Friday and escorted from the prison and has since tried unsuccessfully to resign.
It is understood the department wants to complete its investigation before possibly sacking her.
It follows another incident earlier this year when another female officer was sacked for having sex with a prisoner at the department’s training centre Brush Farm at Ryde.
Mr Elliott is also going to visit the Kempsey jail next Monday to see where it is alleged Penisini, who was jailed for 36 years for the police officer’s murder, is alleged to have assaulted another prisoner earlier this month.
“I have been appalled by the alleged inappropriate behaviour and I appreciate it has caused concern for police officers and loved ones of Senior Constable Glenn McEnallay,” Mr Elliott said yesterday.
“Today I spoke to Mr McEnallay’s mother, Judy, and expressed my sincere regret and apologised to her.
“It is clear this inmate should never have been alone with a junior female officer. I am keen to see what options we could implement to ensure this is never allowed to happen again.
“Anyone who engages in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate has let down thousands of hardworking correctional officers.”
Corrective Services NSW says staff must pass several screenings including criminal record checks before being assessed as suitable for employment and once employed, must maintain personal and professional boundaries.
It is not a criminal offence for an officer to be in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate but it is a breach of the CSNSW code of conduct, a spokesperson said.
“CSNSW does not tolerate this sort of behaviour and there have been only a very small number of staff who have engaged in this conduct,” the spokesperson said.