NSW Prisons: Officers, nurses claim inmates forced to isolate for weeks over Covid testing backlog

Inmates inside NSW prisons are being forced to “isolate for weeks” due to a backlog of Covid testing resulting in releases from quarantine, officers have revealed.

Nurses and correctional officers have revealed inmates inside prisons across NSW are being locked in isolation for “weeks”, with claims Justice Health are struggling to clear a major backlog of Covid testing.

Long Bay Correctional Complex. Picture: John Appleyard

Officers inside Long Bay Correctional Complex have claimed just two nurses were overseeing Covid-19 testing for isolating inmates, resulting in prisoners being locked inside cells for upwards of 14 days.

“Nurses inside Long Bay are being exposed to Covid-positive inmates while they are trying to clear a backlog of testing, which only slows down the process,” a correctional officer said.

“There simply aren’t enough nurses to deal with the number of inmates requiring testing.”

Part of Long Bay Correctional Complex. Picture: John Appleyard

Meanwhile, another senior Corrective Services source revealed other centres face backlogs of “three to four weeks in releasing isolating inmates” including the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater.

“There are inmates sitting in their cells, across the board, for weeks,” a Corrective Services source said. “Lawyers have raised concerns around extended isolation of inmates at a department level.

“The department is trying to work on issues to resolve the backlog, but we face challenges when nurses were being exposed and the backlog grows.”

The source said the department had stressed the issue with the Justice Health Network on several occassions.

Silverwater Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre. Picture Craig Greenhill

Despite the allegations being raised from several officers, nurses and senior CSNSW officials, a department spokesman said it was “not aware of any major backlogs”

“The safety of staff and inmates is our top priority as we continue to follow NSW Health Public Health Orders and the expert advice from our healthcare provider Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network,” he said.

“The isolation period for inmates who test positive to Covid-19 within prison is 10 days, as mandated by JHFMHN.

“Any further isolation requirements are based on an individual’s health needs.

“All fresh custodies at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC) quarantine for 10 days before being assessed and transferred to another correctional centre.”

Corrective Services officers have claimed inamtes are being left in their cells for weeks following a backlog of mandatory covid testing. Picture: Richard Dobson

Meanwhile, a Justice Health Network spokeswoman said it had “invested significant resources to support the timely provision of Covid-19 testing and clinical clearances from isolation in NSW prisons”.

“Covid-19 positive inmates are seen at least daily by nursing staff for care and monitoring of their physical and mental health needs,” she said. “Additional medical care, including increased monitoring and hospital transfer, is also arranged where clinically required.”