Cessnock jail: 21 inmates faced court over alleged prison riot
More than 20 inmates who allegedly rioted at a maximum security jail in the Hunter Valley faced court on Thursday for threatening staff and damaging property. SEE THE NAMES OF ALL INMATES CHARGED.
Newcastle
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A number of prison inmates may have put their soon to be release dates in jeopardy after being charged with rioting at Cessnock Jail earlier this year.
More than 20 male prisoners allegedly climbed onto the roof or locked themselves in their cells during the incident on April 30.
They allegedly caused more than $130,000 worth of damage - including to the ceiling, doors and the roof as well as items inside the facility - and threatened prison officers working in the maximum security Shortland Correctional Centre within the jail complex.
Prison officers were safely able to secure some of the inmates into their cells, while others made it on to the roof of an internal building after midday.
It took the jail’s Security Operations Group specialist extraction team and centre staff several hours to get the incident under control.
Fortunately no staff or prisoners were injured during the incident.
The prisoners were reportedly upset that the supply of drugs within the jail had dried up after a crackdown on visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following an investigation in May, 21 men - all aged between 22 and 39 - have now been charged with riot and damage property intending criminal activity of a criminal group.
19 of those were individually mentioned at Cessnock Local Court on Thursday.
Elwyn Walton, from Hamilton South, was released from Cessnock Jail on parole in June but was put back behind bars when Magistrate Andrew Millar refused his bail today.
The court heard Mr Walton had a significant role in the riot and was caught by CCTV and telephone footage.
“His record is extensive. He’s been on parole for six weeks and there’s no pattern of compliance, there’s a risk of further offences being committed,” Magistrate Millar said.
Michael Manton and Brandon Miller - who both appeared via video link - were due to be released from jail in August but a prosecution request for further time behind bars was granted.
Bradley Cavanagh was supposed to go home to see his kids in 20 days and Edward Morris was set to be released in September but both remain in doubt, as they seek a further date to talk with aboriginal legal services.
Tyson Polyak and Dean Taylor will also have until Monday for the court to decide whether a detention application is granted, while Drae Moore appeared at Parramatta Local Court today and was refused bail.
9 of the men at Cessnock Local Court on Thursday including Matthew Duncan, Ian Edwards, Clifford Ingrey, Allan Leonard, Jack Kerstens, Todd Burns, Ryan Corby, Henry Cutmore and Christopher Dickson didn’t oppose a detention application.
Shannon Stradwick and Luca Alviggi were the only ones to be granted bail, while Anthony Nolan - who has a seven year sentence in jail - was the only inmate to indicate he was set to plead guilty to the charges.
All 20 men before court today had their matters adjourned until September 17 for election to the Director of Public prosecutions (DPP).
Lastly a 39-year-old man was arrested at a home in Tamworth earlier this month.
He was refused bail and appeared at Tamworth Local Court on Friday July 3, where he was granted conditional bail to next appear at the same court on August 24.
Of the men:
- Nine were served a CAN at a correctional facility at Goulburn
- Six were served a CAN at a correctional facility at Cessnock
- A 24-year-old man was served a CAN at a correctional facility at Kempsey
- A 28-year-old man was served a CAN at a correctional facility at Wellington
- A 33-year-old man was served a CAN at a home in Hamilton South
- A 32-year-old man was served a CAN at a home in Gosford
