Goulburn Correctional: Former prison officer Barry Manning sacked for allegedly sexually harassing five female colleagues, making gun threat

A prison officer inside Goulburn Correctional was terminated after an internal review heard claims he sexually harassed five female colleagues, ordering them to undress, before allegedly threatening a woman with a holstered gun.

Female prison officers inside a NSW correctional centre were allegedly ordered to undress and perform sex acts at work – with one officer allegedly threatened with a department-issued handgun when she refused to comply.

The Daily Telegraph can exclusively reveal an internal review by Corrective Services NSW’s Professional Standards Branch heard as many as five female officers at Goulburn Correctional Complex raised allegations former officer, Barry Manning, had repeatedly ordered them to conduct sex acts at work, before one was threatened with a gun.

Goulburn Correctional Complex in NSW. Picture Kym Smith

Complainants told The Daily Telegraph they raised allegations to the Corrective Services NSW Investigations review another woman “interrupted” Manning sexually harassing a female officer in a private room inside the prison - sparking the investigation.

“The catalyst for victims coming forward was that the threats were turning physical,” one complainant told The Daily Telegraph.

The complainant said they had also raised the allegations to the CSNSW Professional Standards investigation.

“He (Manning) was very forceful in his advances and intimidation was used to try to engage in sexual behaviour which escalated to unwanted touching. 

As many as five female officers raised allegations as part of the internal CSNSW investigation. Picture: Toby Zerna

“Every single scenario saw the victims isolated in a private setting, on the grounds of the correctional complex.”

The Daily Telegraph understands Manning “categorically denied” the allegations throughout the entirety of the internal investigation.

In October last year, a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry heard allegations CSNSW Professional Standards Branch had investigated and terminated Manning’s employment after he allegedly threatened one complainant with a firearm with four others raising sexual harassment allegations.

It is understood the Professional Standards investigation, and a NSW Parliamentary Budget Estimates hearing, were told gun was never drawn, however, verbal threats were made.

The Daily Telegraph understands Corrections Commissioner Kevin Corcoran personally heard allegations by Manning’s complainants earlier this year.

Former Corrections Minister Geoff Lee was also briefed on the allegations.

Another complainant told this publication they alleged to the investigation that Manning’s demands for sexual acts were made on correctional grounds and during shifts, before the officer allegedly “forced his hands onto the body of a victim”.

Corrective Services NSW terminated Manning’s employment over the allegations. Picture: Toby Zerna

The complainants said they experienced “unwavering support” from fellow officers at Goulburn throughout the internal investigation.

“This was not a cultural thing at Goulburn, it was the actions of one person,” she said.

“When I did come forward and speak up, I had so much support from the staff.”

No charges have been laid against Manning and there is no suggestion of criminal wrongdoing by him.

It is understood part of the reason NSW Police didn’t pursue the matter criminally was due to claims complainants had spoken to each other about the alleged incidents.

A CSNSW spokeswoman said the department’s professional standards branch (PSB) said the matter was “immediately referred to NSW Police who make up the Corrective Services’ Investigations Unit (CSIU) and the officer was stood down”.

“The CSIU advised that criminal action would not be taken and the matter was referred back to the PSB to be dealt with under the applicable misconduct provisions,” the spokeswoman said. “Following an internal investigation and determination, the officer’s employment was terminated.”