Brad Peebles reinstated as prison governor after ICAC findings of facilitating assault cover up
A corrections boss who was found to have facilitated in the cover up of a prisoner assault in Lithgow Correctional Facility has had a shock promotion, just a year after ICAC handed down its findings against him and called for disciplinary action. SEE THE PROMOTION HERE.
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A prison boss found to have facilitated the cover-up of an inmate bashing while he was head of Security At Lithgow Correctional Centre has been reinstated as governor of another major correctional centre.
Former Lithgow Correctional Centre head of security, 32-year veteran Corrections Officer Brad Peebles, was one of eight staff investigated by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, which last year found he “facilitated” in the cover-up of an “unwarranted and inappropriate” assault on an inmate around February 19, 2014 at the Lithgow-based centre.
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption found Mr Peebles was one of several staff to “dishonestly exercised their official functions in relation to an assault of a prisoner”, with the commission calling for disciplinary action to be taken against the former Head of Security.
NewsLocal understands the prison boss, who was previously governor at Macquarie Correctional Centre in Wellington prior to his appointment at Lithgow, was demoted two ranks following the incident and transferred to Corrective Services NSW’s Special Projects division.
But this month — a little over a year after the NSW ICAC handed down its findings — staff across the department were notified that Mr Peebles had been reinstated as governor of the Macquarie centre.
A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman confirmed Mr Peebles has returned to the position of governor, with a source revealing to NewsLocal the corrective services boss returned to the role last week.
“The Independent Commission Against Corruption recommended that Corrective Services NSW consider taking disciplinary action against Governor Brad Peebles,” the spokeswoman said.
“Mr Peebles was demoted by two ranks for a year, which is one of the strongest penalties available under the Government Sector Employment Act.
“During that time, Mr Peebles worked on a project to help prevent inmates from reoffending.”
Corrective Services Minister Anthony Roberts did not answer questions around the appointment of Mr Peebles, while the Macquarie Correctional Centre governor also declined to answer questions.
Opposition Leader Jodi McKay spoke out about Mr Peebles’ reappointment at Macquarie Correctional Centre, telling NewsLocal there were “clearly questions the government has to answer”.
“People need to know how this gentleman was given this job after such clear findings against him,” she said.