The Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) has commenced a review of the way CSNSW classifies inmates across the state’s correctional system, prompted by the shocking serious assault of four correctional officers at Cessnock in February.
The Government says the review, ordered by Minister for Corrections, Anoulack Chanthivong, will assess the effectiveness of CSNSW’s classification, placement and case management processes. It will also ensure an inmate’s record of behaviour in custody carries appropriate weight when decisions are being made about an inmate’s classification.
CSNSW will conduct the review in consultation with staff, the Public Service Association and other stakeholders.
The review forms an important part of the NSW Government’s ongoing efforts to improve the safety of correction officers, following vicious attacks on four correctional officers at Cessnock Correctional Centre by an inmate in February.
At the Minister’s direction, the Corrective Services NSW Commissioner submitted an urgent application to the State Parole Authority formally opposing the inmate’s release. The matter has now been stood over to a public hearing on Friday, 9 December 2025.
“Corrective Services NSW takes a zero-tolerance approach to assaults on staff and fully supports the criminal prosecution of offenders to ensure they face the full force of the law,” said Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM.
“Every staff member has the right to work in a safe environment.
“We are working closely with the Public Service Association to ensure staff voices are heard and make a difference in how we strengthen safety for all.”
With the Minister’s full support, the Commissioner of CSNSW also wrote to the NSW Police Commissioner and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) requesting that an appeal of the inmate’s sentence be lodged with the District Court.
On Thursday, 6 November 2025, the ODPP confirmed it will appeal the sentence. The sentencing appeal is currently listed on Thursday, 27 November 2025.
The NSW Government has also recently introduced legislation into the NSW Parliament to improve accountability in inmate misconduct proceedings. The Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Amendment (Standard of Proof) Bill 2025 is set to change the standard of proof for determining correctional centre offences from the criminal standard of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ to the civil standard of ‘the balance of probabilities.’
The Government says the changes will bring NSW in line with most other Australian states and territories and will enhance safety in our correctional facilities and better protect officers.
“Community safety remains the Minns Labor Government’s top priority,” said Minister Chanthivong.
“Working in a prison is a tough job at the best of times and correctional officers put themselves at risk to keep us all safe. They deserve our gratitude, and they deserve to be safe on the job.
“This review of inmate classification is just one initiative this Government is prioritising to strengthen staff safety across our state’s prisons.
“I will continue to talk directly with correctional officers and the Public Service Association to achieve our shared goal of keeping our correctional centres safe for staff.”
