Cessnock Correctional Centre: Prisoners riot and lock themselves in their cells over drug shortage

Corrective Services NSW are investigating after a riot broke out at Cessnock jail on Thursday over a dried up drug supply. Some inmates locked themselves into their cells, while some gained access to the roof of an internal building.

Cessnock jail cell.

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Corrective Services NSW are investigating after a riot broke out at Cessnock jail on Thursday.

The disturbance started in Shortland Correctional Centre’s H block at around 11.15am when inmates at the maximum security prison refused to adhere to their usual routine and locked themselves in cells.

Prison officers responded immediately and were safely able to secure some of the inmates into their cells, while others had gained access to the roof of an internal building after midday.

A rioy broke out over dried up drug supply at Cessnock jail.

It took the Security Operations Group specialist extraction team and centre staff several hours to get the incident under control, with all inmates secured by 4pm.

The prisoners demanded Justice Health make Opioid Substitution Therapy available to help manage cravings associated with drug withdrawals caused by a loss of supply of illicit drugs as a result of visit suspensions.

Corrective Services NSW Deputy Commissioner Luke Grant praised officers for their excellent work responding to an incident.

He said officers are trained to manage these types of incidents safely and securely.

“Correctional officers work in a challenging environment and are well equipped to deal with the difficult situations they sometimes face as part of their day-to-day duties,” Mr Grant said.

“Our officers are highly trained to respond to these incidents and I commend the Shortland officers and the Security Operations Group for their skilful handling of this situation.”

No staff or inmates were injured during the incident.