New jail statistics reveal NSW inmates’ favourite food and drinks

There’s one surprising thing that inmates can’t get enough of behind the iron gates – a simple can of soft drink.

Litres of jail-made brew, hundreds of steroid tablets, 3kg of tobacco, opioid strips and 12 tattoo guns were seized from inmates across the state last year, as staff cracked down on dangerous contraband.

But there’s one surprising — allowed — item that inmates can’t get enough of behind the iron gates: Pepsi Max.

The cans of soft drink were the winning item sold from the “buy-ups” program, with more than half a million cans of the soft drink purchased by prisoners throughout 2023.

Vanilla Up & Go protein shakes were a close second with more than 360,000 purchased, while more than 337,000 tins of tuna in oil were bought and devoured.

An array of new statistics has revealed just what life is like inside NSW prisons – from what they spend their money on, to what they do with their time inside.

Aside from shopping their favourite foods, inmates at jails across NSW bought thousands of desk fans, electric kettles and bottles of mouthwash.

More than 500,000 cans of Pepsi were purchased by inmates. Picture: CSNSW

The contraband

While alcohol made from food scraps and prison tattoos may sound like a jail stereotype – they are a very real threat to the inmate’s rehabilitation.

Uncovered during more than 13,000 visitor searches and more than 4,000 cell raids, it was tobacco and alcohol that were the most common finds.

Fence “throwovers” were the subject of a major two-week blitz at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre in April, with staff intercepting eleven parcels that had been tossed into the yard on one occasion.

Contraband including phones and drugs seized by Corrective Services NSW. Picture: CSNSW

The 11 packages contained a huge amount of banned items, including seven mobile phones, 242 Buprenorphine strips, 62.3g of methamphetamine, 226g of cannabis, 1.75kg of tobacco and two vapes.

Corrective Services NSW Deputy Commissioner Dr Anne-Marie Martin said the huge number of seized phones, drugs and booze shows that while contraband is still an issue, staff were well-trained to intercept, disrupt and ensure it was removed from the vast prison network.

“Drugs, needles and even mobile phones can have an absolutely disastrous impact on the rehabilitation of inmates and it is our duty to interrupt, intercept and disrupt any attempt to bring these into our prisons and to keep those in our prisons, including our staff, safe,” Dr Martin said.

Contraband tossed over a fence at MRRC. Picture: CSNSW

“The public may not understand the devastating consequences a small packet of drugs can have on an inmate.

“An inmate may have just completed an addiction course under the supervision of our expert programs staff and be clean from drugs after years of trying to get clean — and is then offered a small amount of contraband.

“That temptation, that small offer of a life they have turned their back on, can undo gruelling psychological and physical work. It is destructive and it is something CSNSW will not stand for.”

The rehabilitation

Long Bay Correctional Complex’s Reg Boys Bakery, a small but important part of the jail ecosystem, was responsible for baking more than six million loaves of bread last year alone.

Three million multigrain rolls and 11 million lunches were cooked up in their kitchen, as well as more than 15 million desserts.

Inmates working in the Reg Boys Bakery. Picture: CSNSW

The bakery clocked up 3,905 hours in operation and used more than 3.7 million kilograms of flour in their prison cook-ups.

Last year also marked the beginning of a new life for many inmates – more than 330 minimum-security inmates undertook work release programs.

More than 11 million calls were made between inmates and their families in 2023. Picture: CSNSW

A further 119 offenders nearing release secured full-time employment, starting roles as administration assistants, bicycle mechanics, cafe assistants and meat processors.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Community, Industry and Capacity Bernhard Ripperger said those who served time in prison will one day again be somebody’s neighbour or colleague, so getting them into work and keeping them on the right path was absolutely vital.

“People come into custody because they have broken the law but when they leave, they can’t be defined by that – they are being given a fresh start and being able to help them get straight into work, straight into earning money, helps keep them on a law-abiding path,” Dr Ripperger said.

Connection to the outside world was also a staple for those inside, with an enormous 11.8 million calls made between inmates and approved family and friends, equating to approximately 74 million minutes of conversation.
Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]