St Heliers Correctional Centre: Audit calls for immediate improvements to men’s prison

A damning report card has revealed the dilapidated state of a NSW men’s prison centre, prompting calls for urgent upgrades to the run-down facility. See the photos of what confronted inspectors.

A photo taken inside the prison, showing mould accumulating on a ceiling.

A damning report card has revealed the dilapidated state of a NSW men’s prison, prompting calls for urgent upgrades to the run-down facility.

Broken windows, blankets being used as curtains, and mould accumulating on ceilings were among the scenes which confronted inspectors during a five-day audit of St Heliers Correctional Centre at Muswellbrook in December.

The inspection also uncovered doors with fraying or exposed wood and chipped tiling, out-of-order fridges and air conditioners, and gaps between ceilings and walls which were reportedly allowing insects and rodents into an accommodation building.

The audit by the Inspector of Custodial Services was made public this week and includes 25 recommendations aimed at lifting the standards of the low-security facility including “immediately resolving maintenance issues including ensuring that the segregation cells are fit for purpose”.

Other areas of concern uncovered during the inspection included high rates of illegal contraband detected among inmates, including 58 drug offences from July to December 2021.

A photo of a sheet being used as a curtain in an inmate’s cell.

A leaking fridge in the prison’s compound area.

The audit was critical of the standard of amenities available to inmates including an absence of basic lounges for inmates to sit on in common areas, outdated gym equipment, and lack of airconditioning units in shared areas.

One of the centre’s main accommodation areas was described by inspectors as “dilapidated, visibly in need of repairs, and dirty”.

The audit described gym equipment at the centre as outdated.

Handbooks provided to new inmates of the facility were also found to be out of date and at times incorrect, no new underwear or socks were readily available for inmates, and accommodation units had one-way alert systems and no video surveillance coverage – meaning inmates were unable to effectively communicate with staff when reporting incidents.

The list of recommendations included carrying out a workplace health and safety audit of employment areas, requiring staff to complete training in Aboriginal cultural awareness and cultural safety, and ensuring all inmates have the full allocation of clothing and linen.

In a statement, Corrective Service NSW said the department welcomed the inspection the of facility and was currently working through “outstanding maintenance” following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

“Upgrades to accommodation units are currently being planned while construction of a cultural space and upgrades to segregation cells will continue to progress into the new year,” a spokesman said.

A photo of an accommodation block in the compound.

Photos of a segregation cell (left) and a TV in the segregation area.

“The dedicated cultural space will further build upon the existing employment and programs opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates at St Heliers, including Blackrock Industries, the Gundi Program, and cultural strengthening programs with Elders like didgeridoo making and Aboriginal dance.

“Secure in-cell tablets were rolled out at the centre in November 2022, providing inmates with access to a range of rehabilitative, education and entertainment services.

“CSNSW will carefully consider all recommendations made in the report as we review them in closer detail.

A photo taken inside the facility.

The inspection of the centre was carried out in December.

“CSNSW continually seeks to improve security, correctional centre design, access to education and health services, and inmate management in all its correctional centres.”

The audit was supportive of various aspects of the facility including a range of vocational and workplace training initiatives available to inmates, such as apprenticeship programs.

It also praised programs for Aboriginal men in custody including a six-week didgeridoo course in which participants can make their own didgeridoo and then learn how to play it.

St Heliers Correctional Centre was opened in 1989 and is one of seven stand-alone minimum security custodial centres for men in NSW.

It has a capacity for 286 inmates. A majority of its current inmates are aged between 25-34.