24-Hour Court Cell Complexes, Amber Laurel Correctional Centre and Kariong Intake and Transit Centre

Background

24-Hour Court Cells are at the front-end of the correctional system.  Their operation relies on high levels of co-operation between:

• custodial and other Corrective Services staff
• medical staff
• police officers.

The previous fully announced inspection of the 24-Hour Court Cells occurred in 2017 as part of the 24-Hour Court Cells in NSW report (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Where we inspected 

We inspected all 24-Hour Court Cell Complexes in NSW. The Amber Laurel Correctional Centre and the Kariong Intake and Transit Centre were also inspected as both centres are used to accommodate inmates for a short period of time prior to being transferred to an adult custodial facility. 

Recommendations

The Inspector makes 16 recommendations. These include systemic and facility specific improvements in:

• Admission and length of time spent in court cells
• Conditions and treatment of inmates
• The provision of and access to health services
• Operational standards

Report

The Inspection of 24-Hour Court Cell Complexes, Amber Laurel Correctional Centre, and Kariong Intake and Transit Centre report was tabled in parliament and published in December 2022. 

Inspection of 24-Hour Court Cell Complexes, Amber Laurel Correctional Centre, and Kariong Intake and Transit Centre report (PDF, 1.9 MB)