NSW prison inspector makes bold call for State Government to shut sections, amalgamate Cessnock Prison complex

The auditor of the state’s prison system has made a bold call for a maximum security jail to be shut down over concerns inmates are living in conditions that fail basic ‘amenity and dignity’ standards.

The inspection was scathing of the standard of facilities at the correctional centre complex.

The auditor of the state’s prison system has made a bold call for a maximum security jail in the Hunter Region to be shut down and amalgamated over concerns inmates are living in conditions that fail basic “amenity and dignity” standards.

The Cessnock correctional centre campus has come under scrutiny by the NSW Inspector of Custodial Services, Fiona Rafter, due to concerns including high numbers of assaults and dilapidated buildings described as beyond repair.

Ms Rafter has recommended an entire 50-year-old section of Cessnock prison – known as ‘area one’ – to be permanently closed after finding no “realistic amount of refurbishment could rectify” the building’s poor and unsafe conditions including mould damage and water leaks.

She has also called for the prison to be amalgamated with the high security Shortland Correctional Centre, located at the Cessnock prison complex site, which houses more than 500 male inmates.

A photo of cells within the prison complex.

Ms Rafter said the amalgamation of the prisons could address staffing shortages and “excessive lockdowns” at both prisons by creating a pool of custodial staff available to be redeployed where needed.

“I do not make this recommendation lightly and ultimately it is a matter for the NSW Government,” Ms Rafter said in her assessment.

“The conditions in parts of area one (continue) to fall short of Corrective Services NSW’s objective to keep people in custody in humane living conditions consistent with its statutory obligations.”

The inspection was scathing of the standard of facilities at the correctional centre complex.

Other concerns raised in the inspection centred on the number of violent incidents at Shortland Correctional Centre which recorded the highest per capita rate of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults across all NSW prisons.

At the time of the inspection in 2023, a prisoner was allegedly stabbed by another inmate.

Ms Rafter said both correctional centres also have populations of “haves” and “have nots”.

Mould and water leaks were among areas of concern outlined in the audit.

“They both have protection inmates living in modern, secure and dignified conditions with access to appropriate facilities and employment opportunities, while many other inmates live in conditions which do not meet basic standards of amenity and dignity,” she said.

“At Cessnock Correctional Centre, the living conditions experienced by people accommodated in area one are unsafe, undignified and unacceptable.

“The working conditions for staff also fall short of satisfactory in a 21st century correctional environment.

A photo of wall graffiti in a staff area of the complex.

A photo of an old storage area at the prison complex.

“The infrastructure is poorly designed, unsafe and dilapidated beyond repair. It should be closed.”

Other concerns raised in the audit included instances of staff adjudicating inmate discipline matters without appearing to understand their responsibilities correctly and required training in procedures.

The delivery of health services at both facilities was failing to meet contracted time frames across a range of services, mainly due to insufficient supply of services and inefficient patient access.

An aerial photo of the prison complex.

It is understood Corrective Services NSW has commenced a review of the current inmate discipline process with regard to ensuring that staff are trained in and adhere to all parts of the procedure.

Corrective Services NSW has been contacted for furher comment.