Digital tablets for inmates at NSW jails including Silverwater, Long Bay

They are designed to help prisoners with education and contact with family – but since the permanent rollout of tablets – inmates are watching movies and playing games.

Digital tablets were delivered to prisoners during a Covid pilot but are now permanent in NSW jails.

A rollout of tablets to some of the state’s worst inmates has been criticised by corrections officers who say prisoners are enjoying the freedom of watching movies and playing games on tablets while serving time in jail.

The rollout of over 8000 devices became permanent in June following a trial in 2020 when Corrective Services delivered 800 tablets to John Morony and Dillwynia correctional centres as part of a pilot program during Covid.

However, Corrective Services NSW has defended the plan.

The aim of the Offender Digital Services program, introduced by the Liberal Government, is to transform rehabilitation across the state’s prisons and will eventually be delivered to 28 prisons.

But a Corrective Services NSW source has slammed the recent rollout at Silverwater and Long Bay jails, where they said inmates were not just using the devices for education and rehabilitation but for talking to their families and watching movies – regardless of their behaviour.

“They have entertainment packages, they’re able to access phone calls with their families up until late at night in their cells,’’ the source, who only spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.

Silverwater Correctional Complex inmates -including in the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre maximum security centre – have been provided with digital devices.

“It’s a privilege that they really shouldn’t be having, it’s not a right.

“There’s no punishment for that whatsoever. Irrespective of the crime – you could be non-compliant in custody, you could be rude, play up, be totally obnoxious to staff – and still have this right now because it’s considered an entitlement by Corrective Services.’’

The source said the tablet rollout gave inmates more liberties than staff who were forbidden from bringing mobile phones, laptops and other technology such as Apple watches to work.

“We’re so used to dealing with changes in Corrective Services but we couldn’t believe it,’’ the source said.

“We’re like ‘it’s better to be a crim than a civilian at this point’.’’

“It’s an unfair entitlement – I don’t think it’s a right at all.’’

The source said prisoners were not monitored while using the technology in private.

“The inmates love it.

“Of course they would – it’s like a kid glued to their screen and they don’t cry but are you really teaching discipline over time? It’s a Band-Aid option. They’re getting entertained, essentially.’’

Long Bay Correctional Complex. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

However, Corrective Services NSW has defended the rollout of the technology, which a

spokeswoman said was recorded, highly secure, tamper-proof, enhanced inmates’ rehabilitation, strengthened family connections and minimised phone-related conflict in prisons.

“The introduction of tablets has contributed positively to prison safety, with centres reporting a reduction in violent incidents,’’ she said.

“The use of tablets in correctional centres is correlated with a statistically significant reduction in inmate-on-inmate assaults, and inmate assaults on staff.

“The tablets provide an opportunity for inmates to engage with meaningful education, mental health and rehabilitative resources, and legal support, when they’d be otherwise idle in their cells for up to 16 hours a day.’’

The spokeswoman said before the tablets, inmates could call their family and friends from 9am to 3pm but could now call loved ones up to 10pm so calls to school-aged children were not restricted.

She said the cost of the tablets were offset by a small levy on inmate phone calls.

“Corrective Services NSW does not purchase them for inmates - and any damage to an inmate tablet is paid for by the inmate,’’ she said.

“Inmates can purchase entertainment packages on the tablets at their own cost.’’

“The devices are tamper-proof and allow access only to CSNSW-approved websites, the do not have access to the external internet. CSNSW reviews an inmate’s usage of the device.’’

Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little. Picture: Monique Harmer

NSW Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little said he understood why members were “left scratching their head” and the “irony” over inmates’ freedoms, which included good health care.

“People in the general public don’t go to the dentist unless they have very good medical cover but I can assure you inmates do,’’ he said.

“The standards are very, very high when it comes to the health and welfare albeit many come in drug-affected.

“Yes, a lot of staff get frustrated, yes absolutely inmates in there are very well cared for.’’

Mr Little said the rollout of tablets was not without controversy but they were implemented after “unprecedented violence” during Covid when two staffers were taken hostage.

“It’s far from perfect but they’re heavily restricted but so far I think the officers have by and large supported the rollout,’’ he said.

“But obviously it has to be closely monitored.’’

The benefits included “less fights and obviously it does increase their capacity to speak with family members”.