Corrective Services NSW investigation sparked after prison guard‘s gun fired inside Maitland Hospital

The .38 calibre bullet hit a bathroom wall as a revolver was being transferred between guards during a shift change at the new $470m Maitland Hospital

An investigation has been launched into how a gun, being handled by corrections officers looking after a prisoner at the new Maitland Hospital, fired a bullet into a bathroom wall.

Corrective Services NSW confirmed it was investigating the incident during what was termed a “routine inmate escort” to the new $470m hospital on February 7 – less than three weeks after the hospital opened its doors to patients.

Sources have confirmed the gun – a .38 calibre revolver – was discharged in a bathroom of the hospital during a shift change.

The revolver was discharged as guards attempted to transfer it during a shift change at Maitland Hospital.

It is understood one officer had taken the gun out of its holster and it discharged as it was being transferred into the second officer’s holster.

The bullet hit the wall of the bathroom and did not penetrate.

A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman confirmed there were no injuries.

Port Stephens-Hunter police were called in to investigate and are understood to have cleared both officers of any criminality, determining the firing of the gun was most probably an unintentional discharge.

The new $470m Maitland Hospital was only open for a few weeks when the bullet was fired into a bathroom wall.

However, an internal investigation continues. Neither officer has yet to be the subject of any disciplinary action.

“About 2.45pm on Monday, 7 February an officer’s holstered firearm was discharged into a wall within a bathroom area during a routine inmate escort at Maitland Hospital,’’ Corrective Services NSW said in a statement.

“There were no injuries as a result.

“NSW Police were notified and Corrective Services NSW is investigating the incident.’’