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.

More than 100 Inmates Facing Charges after being Caught out by Operation Purge

BY JESSICA ROUSE

In a bid to crack down on contraband in the state's prison system, Operation Purge has just finished searching NSW's 36 prisons including Cessnock Correctional Complex and collected quite a haul.

From Cessnock, five prison-made weapons were found as well as two smoking elements.

One of the biggest hauls was from Silverwater Correctional Complex where 10 steroid tablets, 4 prison made weapons, phone chargers and more than 15 grams of tobacco were among the many items discovered.

Minister for Corrections David Elliot said the search was conducted over an 11-week period and he's praised the officers who took part which included more than 1,300 custodial officers and 90 Security Operations Group officers.

Prison-made weapon found at Cessnock Correctional Centre.
Image supplied.

"The unprecedented operation has produced great results, with searches of 8,377 inmates, 5,079 cells and 576 common areas. A total of 105 inmates are now facing charges of possessing contraband," said Minister Elliot.

Officers will continue to remain vigilant when it comes to contraband making it behind prison walls and the inmates who are found to be responsible can face prosecution and other punishments such as segregation, withdrawal of privileges and no contact visits for up to 56 days.