NSW prison’s move to stop extremists radicalising fellow inmates

NSW’s toughest prison has hardened its security in a multimillion-dollar upgrade to stop terrorists radicalising fellow inmates.

NSW’s toughest prison has had a multimillion-dollar security upgrade to stop convicted terrorists radicalising other criminals.

Goulburn Supermax now has two areas to manage and house the state’s most extreme terrorists, with upgrades to x-ray systems, metal detectors, CCTV and audio monitoring.

A correctional officer looks at the image from the new x-ray machine. Picture: Toby Zerna

Manager of Security Stuart Lyle waits to open a secure door at Supermax. Picture: Toby Zerna

This includes installing an extra 30 beds in the prison, from 45 to 75, to separate the two cohorts.

The entrance to Supermax. Picture: Toby Zerna

Prison officers can now observe inmates from a brand new control room, which boasts a “state-of-the-art” security system that expands across the entire prison precinct.

Counter Terrorism and Corrections Minister Anthony Roberts said the upgrade was part of a wider $47m government investment into countering terrorism.

Inside one of the updated cells. Picture: Toby Zerna

And another. Picture: Toby Zerna

“Increasing the operational capacity of Supermax allows Corrective Services NSW to separate convicted terrorists from other inmates, thereby reducing the risk of radicalisation within the prison system,” Mr Roberts said.

Corrective Services NSW Acting Commissioner Kevin Corcoran said the second, older facility could eventually operate as a step-down facility for inmates who disengaged from radical behaviour.

Correctional officer David Smithson peers into one of the refurbished cells. Picture: Toby Zerna

The exercise yard with netting fitted above to prevent any contraband being thrown over the wall or drones dropping items into the yard. Picture: Toby Zerna

NSW Police also recently expanded its force to welcome the Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit, which was a further move by the government to identify and monitor violent extremism.

Well-known terrorist Isaac el Matari who once claimed to be the head of ISIS in Australia and would launch attacks across Sydney, is one of the notorious extremists jailed at Supermax.

A correctional officer demonstrates the new features of the cell door that allows for safer interaction with inmates. Picture: Toby Zerna

Last month he was sentenced to seven years after pleading guilty to doing an act in preparation for a terrorist act and preparing to enter Afghanistan for the purpose of hostile activity.