Prison in lockdown as inmates riot at South Coast Correctional Centre
DOZENS of prisoners have been placed in lockdown and tear gas used to quell a riot and fire at the South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DOZENS of prisoners have been placed in lockdown and tear gas used to quell a riot and fire at the South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra.
The riot broke out at the maximum security wing just after 9.30am.
Fire crews believe tissue paper and mattresses were used to set ablaze at least five cells.
Tear gas was sed to subdue inmates and dogs were deployed to the prison following the fires with prisoners placed in lockdown.
Rural Fire Service brigades, Fire and Rescue NSW, Police Rescue and Ambulance NSW crews are at the scene.
Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Peter Severin praised officers for their excellent work in responding to an incident.
“About 9.30am, a maximum-security inmate started a fire and refused to vacate his cell. Gas was deployed to remove the inmate safely,” he said.
“About the same time, two other inmates climbed on to an awning of an internal building and came back down shortly after without instruction.”
Immediate Action Team officers were forced to deploy gas in order to safely remove all inmates from the area.
“Two maximum-security pods of about 60 inmates have now been placed in lockdown with all inmates secured in their cells,” Mr Severin added.
He said the incident demonstrated the types of situations correctional officers dealt with on a regular basis.
“Corrective Services officers face a difficult job each day in managing some of the most dangerous people,” Mr Severin said.
“The Nowra officers’ capable and swift response to this incident meant the safety and security of the centre was maintained – they did a terrific job.”
Corrective Services NSW is investigating the incident and the inmates involved can face charges.