Supermax: What it’s like inside Australia’s toughest prison

From shackles to Disney movies – life inside the prison that houses our most dangerous prisoners is not what you might imagine. See the exclusive video and hear the audio.

Exclusive: They are allowed to read Dean Koonz, Matthew Reilly, Ian Banks and Wilbur Smith novels. Books on business and religion are also available. True Crime, however is on the banned list.

At 7pm every night many of the TVs are tuned to a jailhouse favourite, Home and Away.

Now there is also a new addition – a tablet with pay-by-the-month entertainment packages featuring songs, games, educational programs and movies including The Super Mario Brothers, Captain America: Civil War, Godzilla vs. Kong, Tar, and Top Gun: Maverick, as well as classics such as the Lion King, The Mummy, La La Land, Pacific Rim, and Robin Hood.

But it is not all fun and games in here. This tightly-controlled enclave has been the site of fights, hatched terrorism plots and alleged drug smuggling conspiracies.

Inside the Supermax at Goulburn Correctional Centre, terror offenders have access to a library. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Supermax, a jail within a jail at the Goulburn Correctional Centre, houses Australia’s worst offenders — from crime bosses to drug lords, murderers and jihadis.

Built like a modern day fortress with heavy steel doors and air locked passageways, every outdoor space is sealed with ultra-strong steel mesh.

No one has ever escaped from the Supermax and no-one moves around without an officer seeing it on the 24/7 surveillance.

An out door yard at the Supermax inside Goulburn Correctional Centre: Sam Ruttyn

News Corp gained exclusive and unprecedented access to the jail to interview prisoners about their progression through the system — from the moment they enter to the day they are released.

Watch the exclusive video above.

Our cameras were also permitted to shoot the induction process inmates go through.

It begins with them being shackled, hand and foot.

And surrendering all their belongings, from phones to clothing and money and jewellery.

Then when incarcerated, they are only ever moved one at a time, in handcuffs, and guarded by two officers.

Such movement includes going to the exercise yards.

Inmates go through airport style body scanners will they arrive in fresh custody. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

There are only ever two inmates together at once in the Supermax Area 1 — the toughest section of the prison — and whenever they come out of their cells they are restrained.

That way if something happens “less people get hurt”.

“When they reach the exercise yard, the handcuffs are taken off,” Governor Faith Slatcher said.

Listen to audio from a Goulburn Supermax prisoner about what the new rehab program means.

Currently there are 13 inmates in the Supermax Area 1 and they start their day early around 7.30am with roll call and headcount.

The back doors to their own private courtyards are unlocked and inmates will have already made themselves breakfast with overnight ration packs.

They can buy their own kettle and sandwich press for their cells.

The standard cell at the Supermax which houses terrorism offenders. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Prisoners are supplied with three sachets of coffee/tea, sweetener every day as well as 300ml of fresh milk

The Supermax prisoners have one and a half to two hours in the morning of free time. They can book time in an exercise yard with one other approved prisoner or stay in their own cell or yard.

The standard cell at the Supermax which houses terrorism offenders. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

For lunch they are locked back into their cells for about 45 minutes and are served a choice of foods including roast beef sandwiches, meatballs, bread, gluten free meals such as bean salad and fruit.

In the afternoon, they are released again — until about 3pm when their evening meal is served and they are locked away for the night.

Offenders taking part in the Countering Violent Extremism Pathways (CVE) program can have counselling sessions with psychologists, a religious support person and do behavioural change programs during their free hours. They can also do education programs.

Acting Manager of Security Jon Cresswell pictured. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

But they are not able to work, according to Governor Slatcher, because of the security risk.

If the prisoners engage with the CVE initiative, and maintain good behaviour with no charges and no segregation for at least six months, they are considered for a move to Area 2 — a sort of “mini-max” within the Supermax, where they gain significantly more freedoms.

“It is up to the person themselves how long it takes to transition from Area 1 to Area 2,” Governor Slatcher said.

Acting Manager of Security Jon Cresswell pictured. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

But once they get to Area 2, it is not all smooth going. Some have misbehaved and been sent back to Area 1.

“They were boundary pushing or didn’t follow the rules,” Senior Assistant Superintendent Corrections Jon Cresswell said of those banished.

“We regressed one (prisoner) back nine or 10 months ago. He came back down here last week,” Mr Cresswell said.

“It was a big learning curve for him. To his credit he picked up his game fixed the behaviours and now he is back with a second chance.”

Supermax Governor Faith Slatcher pictured in one of the outdoor yards. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

In the Supermax Area 2, prisoners can socialise with two other prisoners at a time. When they are out of their cells they don’t have to wear handcuffs.

They play table tennis, games including Monopoly, Scrabble, Snakes and ladders, Uno, cards, jigsaws and Chinese checkers.

One convicted terrorism offender said being in Area 2 had given him hope and allowed him to work and make his own money – enough to support purchases at the buy up without having to ask his family for help.

“It has been like a dream for me,” he said.

Supermax Governor Faith Slatcher. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The 49-year-old has been undertaking university studies and cooking.

Prisoners in Area 2 are encouraged to undertake Pathways programs aimed at helping them progress into the main maximum security jail and then to the minimum security ahead of their release into the community.

Like anyone else, they dream of their future. Most inmates hope for simple things like getting a job, spending time with their families, going to the beach, waking up next to a beautiful wife and going for a job.

Originally published as Supermax: What it’s like inside Australia’s toughest prison