Prisoner advocates are demanding the most vulnerable inmates in NSW be released to prevent "chaos" in the state's jails during the coronavirus crisis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Justice Action coordinator Brett Collins on Thursday argued riots seen in Italy's prisons would be replicated in Australia if authorities couldn't prevent COVID-19 outbreaks.
"It is urgent to get those older prisoners at high risk of dying out - and nobody should be sharing cells to ensure proper social distancing," Mr Collins told AAP.
"This is the time to act, before the infection gets into the jail, because inevitably it will."
The prisoner advocate said panic could set in if staff shortages caused by illness prevented inmates from doing outdoor exercise, for example.
"If that happens there will be riots in the jails, the police will come over and there will be chaos."
The mother of a NSW prisoner told AAP she's extremely worried about being left in the dark if an outbreak occurs.
"My son went into prison mentally unwell, he was left untreated for two or three weeks, but I didn't know this, because every time I tried to find out how he was I was ignored," she said on Thursday.
"Only when I got the ombudsman involved did I receive any information.
"If he does get sick, they are not going to tell me."
The woman's son - who's in Goulburn Correctional Centre - has told her there's no hand sanitiser available and, as yet, no additional health measures.
Pandemic hot-zone Iran has released about 85,000 people from jail, including political prisoners, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Some US states including Ohio and California have also released some non-violent inmates.
But a Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman has told AAP early releases to reduce prison populations are not being considered.
"No, we will not be doing what Iran has done," she said, adding contingency plans were in place to protect staff and inmates.
Community Restorative Centre director Mindy Sotiri says the COVID-19 health crisis is unprecedented.
Her organisation provides support services for inmates but it's not known how prisoners will connect with external providers during the pandemic.
"Many family members are calling me increasingly concerned about what will happen to vulnerable people, especially the elderly, in prisons if coronavirus does break out," Dr Sotiri told AAP.
There have been no confirmed cases in any of the state's 38 facilities to date but AAP understands Corrective Services NSW is preparing for an eventual outbreak.
The department on Thursday announced it had set up a central command centre to coordinate its response to the pandemic.
The new command post will operate seven days a week and liaise with interstate and international counterparts on how to prevent or manage any outbreak.
"Please be assured nothing is being left to chance," CSNSW Commissioner Peter Severin said in a statement.
"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."
Visitors to the state's 38 jails have been banned until March 22 when tighter procedures - including health screenings - will be implemented.
CSNSW will also be trying to reduce inmate movement and visits where possible.
Some 600 tablet computers will be rolled out across the network to facilitate video calls in place of social visits.
The use of audiovisual links for legal meetings and court appearances will also be increased.
Australian Associated Press
