Cessnock Gaol Officer Charged after Smuggling Contraband into Facility

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's alleged that a Cessnock Correctional Centre officer not once, not twice, but at least ten times took contraband into the goal throughout this year.

Police have charged a 29-year-old Corrective Services employee after a drug dog operation on Monday (December 18, 2017) uncovered drugs in the officer's wallet.

The man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was interviewed.

Police allege this isn't the first time the officer had taken contraband into the facility - he's been accused of bringing various types of contraband in on ten other occasions and exchanging the contraband for cash.

The 29-year-old has been charged with two counts of agent corruptly receive benefit, bring drugs into place of detention and two counts of unlawfully deliver or attempt to deliver anything to inmate.

The officer has been suspended from duty, and was granted conditional bail to appear in Cessnock Local Court on January 24, 2018.

Expansions at Cessnock Jail Positive for Cessnock Community

BY BRIDGET GUNN

A proposed expansion of Cessnock jail will see the facility double in occupancy to 1800 inmates.

The expansion will provide beds for an additional 1000 inmates, and should create jobs for more than 800 workers, including about 450 construction workers and 430 permanent correctional staff.

Director of Custodial Corrections Glen Scholes says Corrective Services is keen to pursue the project that could prove very beneficial to the Cessnock community.

"The existing jail has been there for around about 40 years so far, and the jail itself has a terrific relationship with the local community" says Scholes.

"I think it's a great opportunity for us to further partner with the Cessnock community, and we look forward to doing that effectively as we have done over many years."

Prison Officers Vocational Branch Chairman Steve McMahon says the expansion will be beneficial for the community of Cessnock.

"The community may have some concerns around the safety aspects of having such a large concentration of prisoners, but we can assure the community that we operate at the top end of all prisons in the world, and our facilities are very secure."

Cessnock jail
Source: The Newcastle Herald

Additional Charges Laid Against Murderer of Michelle Leng

BY BRIDGET GUNN

Additional charges have been laid as part of the investigation into the murder of Michelle Leng on the Central Coast in April.

The body of Ms Leng, who was an international student from China, was found in the water inside the blow hole in Snapper Point on 24th April this year.

Following further inquiries, detectives have laid an additional 27 charges against the man accused of her murder in the local court today. These charges include detain for advantage, five counts of committing acts of indecency, seventeen counts of filming private parts without consent, two counts of filming person in private acts without consent and two counts of installing devices to film.

Michelle Leng
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Two Inmates Badly Burned in Cessnock Gaol Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

 Two inmates remain in a critical condition and at least one prison guard has been treated for burns after a fire broke out at Cessnock Gaol last night.

The blaze started in a maximum security cell just after 8pm - the two inmates aged 21 and 24 were flown to the Burns Unit at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital by the Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the Ambulance Rescue Helicopter.

Police say 12 prison officers and staff needed treatment including for smoke inhalation.

Corrective Services Commissioner, Peter Severin says it's believed the fire started when bed linen and clothing were set alight.

One of the inmates is loaded into the Ambulance Rescue helicopter

Fire crews leave Cessnock Gaol after extinguishing the fire Photos courtesy Fairfax media.