Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) has established a Central Command Post to streamline and coordinate its efforts in minimising the COVID-19 risk for staff and inmates at its 38 prisons across the State.
Commissioner of Corrective Services, Peter Severin said the Post would operate seven days a week and include representatives from all Corrections branches as well as from key areas such as human resources and information technology.
“It is vital we do everything we can to keep our staff and inmates safe and well,” Commissioner Severin said
“We continue to follow the expert advice from NSW Health and are working closely with Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network to minimise risks for staff as well as inmates,” he said.
“Please be assured nothing is being left to chance.”
Commissioner Severin said that to minimise inmate movements and third-party visits to prisons, CSNSW was exploring options to increase the use of audio-visual links for legal visits, court appearances and family contact.
“Corrective Services Industries is manufacturing 20 ‘pop-up’ audio-visual studios to add to the existing 107 video-conferencing studios and pop-ups already in the system,” he said.
He said CSNSW also had access to 600 computer tablets which were originally intended to be rolled-out to inmates later this year as part of a pilot to improve staff efficiency and encourage inmates to take greater personal responsibility.
“These can now be used to facilitate video-calls, in place of contact visits,” he said.
Commissioner Severin said the focus remained on staff protection and risk management to ensure safe and secure operations were maintained within all CSNSW work locations.
