Lithgow Prison audit calls for 19 key improvements at high security correctional facility

A laundry room used to funnel in contraband and 169 assaults involving inmates recorded in a single year have been identified during an audit of one of NSW’s main maximum security prisons.

High numbers of assaults and a laundry room used to funnel in contraband are among areas of concern identified during an audit of a NSW maximum security prison.

The Inspector of Custodial Services has made 19 recommendations aimed at lifting the standards of Lithgow Correctional Centre following an audit of the facility in February last year.

The inspection identified safety and security as a key issue of concern including “prevalent” contraband and drug use leading to a high number of assaults between inmates.

A photo of a main oval area at the facility.

Figures show there were 169 fighting or assault offences recorded in the 12 month period leading up to the inspection – 10 per cent higher than the statewide prison average – along with 105 drug offences and 61 offences relating to property damage.

The audit found contraband was being funnelled into the facility via a laundry inmate room – despite the use of x-ray machines designed to stop illicit goods being smuggled into the prison.

“Despite efforts to address the issue using drug detection dogs, body scanning and drone blocking technology, contraband continues to be found in the centre,” the audit found.

A photo of a special management unit cell at the prison.

“CCTV throughout the centre is inadequate for a maximum security centre and needs upgrading as modern surveillance systems will help to prevent the movement of contraband in and around the centre

“Other areas which need attention include urinalysis testing and contraband entry points. Random urinalysis testing of inmates at Lithgow CC is minimal and should be increased.”

Inspector of Custodial Services Fiona Rafter, in her report, said the centre had been “had become overcrowded” since the prison was last inspected in 2016 – presenting many challenges that resulted in “unsafe conditions” at the facility.

A photo taken during the audit.

A lack of supervision and poor custodial practice was found to have contributed to a number of serious assaults – some of which were carried out using jail-made weapons.

The prison had put in place measures designed to stem the number of assaults including reducing access to communal areas – which in turn had resulted in limited access to the oval, exercise, education and library facilities.

The prison also struggled to meet the 7.8 hours state average for the amount of time inmates spent out of their cells – primarily due to staff absences and sick leave, resulting in the centre being locked down for long periods of time.

A photo of a mattress, taken during the inspection.

A photo of the visitors area, taken during the peak of Covid restriction.

The standard of accommodation was another area of concern with the audit identifying mouldy mattresses, a shortage of pillows, and ligature points within cells which “should be addressed as a matter of priority.”

There were also long wait lists for inmates seeking health appointments including 236 waiting to see a primary nurse, 90 for a drug and alcohol nurse, and 50 for a mental health nurse.

Staff at the prison were also found to be using television as a behaviour management tool – resulting in TV sets becoming a sought after commodity and a source of “tension and bullying between inmates”.

The prison has been operating since 1990.

The list of recommendations included installing modern surveillance technology to replace obsolete watch towers manned by armed custodial officers – one of the few facilities to use the outdated security method.

It also called for an increased staff training in surveillance and detection, an increase in Aboriginal staff numbers to reflect the prison’s demographics, cultural safety training for staff, regular audits of clothing and bedding, increased access to mental health services, and increasing the number of hours inmates spend out of their cells.

In response to the audit, Corrective Services NSW said it had upgraded CCTV and security which were completed by the end of 2021 and includes body scanners, drone detection technology, drug detection dogs

The audit has made 19 recommendations to improve operational standards at the facility.

A spokeswoman said the department acknowledges the audit finding and was in the process of responding to the recommendations.

“Improvements continue to be made in accommodation units, which has seen cells painted and new vinyl added. Damaged mattresses are replaced once identified,” she said.

“Inmate on inmate assaults have steadily declined at Lithgow Correctional Centre since 2020.

CSNSW staff work tirelessly to keep contraband including drugs out of correctional centres, to create a safe environment for the prison community.

“Corrective Services NSW is continually seeking to improve security, correctional centre design and inmate management.”

Ms Rafter’s report said “while these initiatives are welcomed further improvements are needed” and the facility needs to make “important adjustments” to meet its primary purpose to accommodate high risk sentenced inmates and to address recidivism”.

A photo of the textile employment unit.

“A new governor, a reduced operational capacity, and the recent removal of remand inmates from the centre will hopefully provide an opportunity for Lithgow Correctional Centre to better define its role and function in the NSW correctional system.”

Other recommendations including improving work opportunities offered at the centre to deliver meaningful work and vocational training opportunities for inmates.

Currently, inmates have access to employment programs such as textiles where inmates make footwear to supply to prisons across the state, and also refurbished Qantas headsets before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.