NSW Ombudsman Ends Unlawful 24/7 Prisoner Lock-ins

When 33 inmates at a New South Wales prison reached out for help in April 2025, they set in motion a chain of events that would reform protective custody practices across the entire state.

The prisoners at South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra had been locked in their cells for 24 hours a day, some for up to three months. Under NSW law, all inmates should receive at least two hours of daily outdoor exercise, but a system failure meant vulnerable prisoners in protective custody were confined without breaks except for medical appointments and court dates.

The NSW Ombudsman's investigation, published this week, found the lock-ins were "unlawful and oppressive." More importantly, the report revealed that senior prison officials were completely unaware the situation was happening until complaints arrived.

Within weeks of those complaints, the 24/7 lock-ins stopped. The Ombudsman's office discovered similar issues at other facilities including Parklea, Cessnock, and Sydney's Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre, triggering reviews across the system.

The problems started in early 2025 when Corrective Services NSW changed how it housed vulnerable inmates, creating an overflow situation that left some prisoners stuck in isolation. The Ombudsman found the influx was "clearly foreseeable and avoidable," but poor planning meant it happened anyway.

Ombudsman Paul Miller didn't mince words about the systemic failures. His office had to wait eight months for requested documents, and even then the records were incomplete. The investigation revealed troubling gaps in record keeping that made it impossible to verify whether inmates at some facilities were impacted.

The Bright Side

This story shows oversight working exactly as it should. Inmates spoke up, the Ombudsman listened and investigated, officials took action, and now the entire system is changing.

The Ombudsman made 13 concrete recommendations that Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong says he will carefully consider. These include reviewing every protective custody case statewide, dramatically improving record keeping, and requiring prisons to notify headquarters if any prisoner misses outdoor exercise for three consecutive days.

One particularly significant recommendation calls for NSW to finally implement the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, an international standard that's been outstanding since January 2023. That would bring independent oversight to prevent similar situations before they start.

Corrective Services NSW is now reviewing all protective custody placements to find better options for vulnerable inmates. The department acknowledged the findings and committed to reforms.

The case also highlights the crucial role that complaint systems play in protecting rights. Without those April complaints, officials acknowledge they don't know how long the lock-ins would have continued. The Ombudsman's independence meant those voices were heard and acted upon quickly.

NSW Greens justice spokesperson Sue Higginson noted that transparency and accountability remain challenges, but the Ombudsman's decisive action shows the system can course-correct when problems come to light.

For the 33 inmates who spoke up, their willingness to file complaints didn't just end their own unlawful confinement. It sparked reforms that will protect vulnerable prisoners across New South Wales for years to come, proving that individual voices really can drive systemic change.