Supermax guards attacked after notorious criminal has sentence quashed – 2GB 04/03/2019
There’s been another assault on corrective services officers days after notorious criminal Bassam Hamzy got away with bashing a guard.
One of Australia’s most dangerous criminals has had his sentence for assaulting a prison officer quashed by a sympathetic judge.
Hamzy initially had his sentence extended 20 months for bashing a prison guard in Goulburn Supermax, Australia’s highest security prison.
But Acting Judge Geoffrey Graham said the sentence was “unjust” as Hamzy has already been punished enough by having his prison privileges restricted.
Hamzy was initially put behind bars at age 19 for murder, where he then started the prison gang Brothers 4 Life.
He ran a violent drug network from his prison cell and used a phone to organise several kidnappings and drive-by shootings from the inside.
But Ray Hadley has revealed another attack on prison guards has taken place in the same prison, just days after the judge’s decision.
Corrective Services NSW has confirmed two inmates allegedly attacked two prison officers yesterday morning, with one officer requiring stitches (full statement below).
Public Service Association General Secretary Stewart Little tells Chris Smith the quashing of Hamzy’s conviction has set a dangerous precedent.
“It can certainly send the wrong message. We’ll need to be very clear: if you assault a prison officer who’s in the course of their duties then you get extra jail time.
“That’s the way it has to work.”
Corrective Services NSW extends its support to two officers who are recovering after being injured at the High Risk Management Correctional Centre in Goulburn yesterday morning.
After a verbal altercation with staff, a 28-year-old inmate allegedly punched an officer in the shoulder while a 21-year-old inmate allegedly punched another officer in the head.
The officer with the head wound was taken to hospital where he required stitches while the officer injured in the shoulder was treated by medical staff at the correctional centre.
Acting Commissioner Rosemary Caruana said the incident was a reminder of the tough job staff face on a daily basis.
“These officers put their own safety on the line every day to ensure a safer correctional environment and a safer community for all,” Ms Caruana said.
“I thank the officers for their good service and wish them a speedy recovery.
“The efforts of all the officers involved to contain the incident and manage these inmates should be applauded.”
The two inmates have been placed in segregation pending further investigations by NSW Police and CSNSW.
EXCLUSIVE | Supermax guards attacked after notorious criminal has sentence quashed