On 25 February 2025 four Correctional Officers were seriously assaulted in Cessnock Correctional Centre by one inmate.

The inmate was charged and yesterday at Cessnock Court the matter was before the local court. The inmate received a three-year intensive corrections order. This is an insult to every Correctional Officer who goes to work and protects the state of NSW daily.

The local court had the capacity to hand down a sentence of up to three years.

This inmate had already had an intensive corrections order revoked and yet a magistrate thought it was the best option rather than a sentence.

Today Cessnock Correctional Centre met and withdrew labour in protest of the outcome and to show support to the four Officers involved. The motion was sent to the Prison Officer Vocational Subbranches and the whole state then withdrew labour to show solidarity and support.

In the background whilst this was taking place the Public Service Association (PSA) had already contacted CSNSW Commissioner and expressed its disbelief of the matter.  Contact was made with the Minister’s office. We raised that we had only been before the Minister last week to express our disappointment and concerns around a magistrate in Bathurst who given an inmate a fine for spitting on a female officer’s face and for another matter where two male officers had urine thrown over them.

The Commissioner sent out a bulletin in support of all staff. He also applied to the State Parole Authority to have the inmate’s parole revoked as he was to be released tomorrow.  We have also been informed that the Commissioner has recommended to have the matter appealed by the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The General Secretary and President have done extensive media to highlight the concerns of the members and that we expected an appeal of the inadequate sentence handed to this inmate. The PSA is also aware that that the Minister and CSNSW have done media on the matter.

The PSA can confirm the inmate will not be released tomorrow and that he will be before the courts on Monday 3 November 2025 for a parole hearing.

CSNSW has taken the PSA to the Industrial Relations Commission, and we have been ordered back to work to commence back at 6:00am 31 October 2025. See the orders HERE.

Due to the fact that we have been successful in getting this violent offender to remain in custody, the massive media highlighting our concerns, and our Commissioner is requesting the DPP to appeal the decision we recommend that follow the orders set down by the Commission and return to work at 6:00am 31 October 2025.

The PSA will monitor the situation and the outcome of the DPP’s decision to appeal and will keep all members informed.

We want to thank you all for the strong support shown for our four members. We can confirm that they appreciate it, and it has helped them through this difficult situation.

Proud to be blue.