Corrective Services abuse file bungle the ‘biggest f...k up ever’

Prison guards in their hundreds fear retaliation from inmates and even colleagues after dozens were outed in a bungle for reporting fellow officers over sexual, physical abuse and racism claims.

Hundreds of prison guards have asked for protection on the job in the wake of horrifying claims of abuse, racism and sexual assault levelled against them being shared online.

Large swathes of the state’s correctional officers are now fearing for their safety after the bungle involving a 450 page document detailing the worst claims against guards at the highest levels.

The file was online for two months as part of submissions to the Astill Inquiry before several government agencies were alerted by the Sunday Telegraph on Friday.

Sources said as a result “up to 300” staff members had lodged a safety suite request since Friday, a notification prison workers can make in situations where they feel threatened inside jail.

A prison source described the release of the files without the identities of the informants being redacted as “the biggest f...k up ever”.

“They chose to expose those making the submissions but protect the accused,” the source said.

“What they have done is release documents which have redacted the accused but kept the ones that have exposed (wrongdoing) in the open. Moving forward, this gives no confidence to anyone to make any submission.

Inmates alleged in the claims they had been sexually assaulted, bashed and abused. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Whenever staff are exposed to or subject to an assault, fight or psychological trauma etc, they complete a safety suite notification, which records their exposure to an incident.

“Today alone 300 safety suites were submitted across the state by staff. It’s a dark day for corrections. I have never witnessed anything like it in my career.”

The files had been redacted in part but alleged perpetrators and those who made confidential reports were either still easily identifiable or completely unredacted.

Many alleged offenders within the ranks of Corrective Services NSW would not have been aware they were being investigated, or in some instances, referred to ICAC.

Ex Prison guard Wayne Gregory Astill, whose predatory actions sparked the inquiry. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dylan Coker

“It has made people not feel safe. I have real concern for the welfare of those officers,” Public Service Association president Nicole Jess said.

“This has done nothing but slur the name of good officers. It has put the profile of correctional officers back another 10 years.”

Corrective Services NSW Assistant Commissioner Leon Taylor emailed all staff on Friday night alerting officers to the breach.

“It has come to my attention that a document obtained from CSNSW under compulsory legal summons by the Astill Inquiry which contains information about misconduct allegations and actions was published by the inquiry on their website,” he wrote.

“The document may be causing distress to some staff and the staff support team are on duty over the weekend for anyone who needs their assistance.”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH JAILHOUSE SHOCK

It is understood the Astill Inquiry asked for redactions to be removed when it compelled Corrective Services NSW to hand over the document and then uploading it online.

Corrections had argued for more to protect the privacy of individuals named in the document.

The claims detailed incidents of sexual assault, racism, physical abuse and links to bikie gangs that were found to be true, under investigation or where a probe was discontinued.

In Bathurst Correctional Centre male officers were accused of keeping a “scoring book” rating female colleagues after having sex with them.

Several employees were either sacked or reprimanded for sexual relationships with inmates while others had been accused of having sexually assaulted prisoners.

One disturbing allegation unearthed in the documents outlined how a mentally ill prisoner was forced to “bark like a dog” before being given lunch in the Surry Hills custody cells in 2021.

Men working at Bathurst jail, pictured, were accused of rating their female colleagues’ sexual performances. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Another former officer was dobbed in by someone at a bucks party for using her official uniform while performing as an adult entertainer after leaving the department.

Those who committed some of the worst acts range from low level guards to assistant governors and governors of well-known correctional centres across the state.

“Corrective Services NSW is aware of the publication of a document containing sensitive information and a number of serious and disturbing allegations of staff misconduct,” a Corrective Services spokeswoman said.

“We understand the release of the information relating to a private and confidential process is distressing for staff involved, including complainants, and we have mobilised a team of specialist staff to provide immediate counselling and peer support.

“The alleged conduct revealed in the documents is completely unacceptable and we encourage any staff member who is aware of misconduct in the workplace to report it to Professional Standards and Investigations or NSW Police, so instances of wrongdoing can be identified and act upon.”

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said: “With some serious allegations dating back to 2020, work is underway to finalise investigations”.

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