24-hour Court Cells in NSW

Background

Correctional officers at court cells receive inmates directly from court or police custody, and begin the management and screening of inmates.

Inmates can be suffering withdrawal from substances, mental health issues or distress from being detained.

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.

Where we inspected

We inspected all 24-hour court cells complexes in NSW and the Amber Laurel Correctional Centre.

Recommendations

The Inspector makes 37 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
• Access to legal representatives
• Infrastructure and maintenance
• Operational standards
• Staff training and profile

Report

The 24-hour Court Cells in NSW Report was tabled in parliament and published in June 2018.

24-hour Court Cells in NSW Report (PDF , 1.1 MB)

Media release