An internal review of the hostage situation that occurred in late December at the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre is ongoing.
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The officer was held hostage by two inmates who had gained access to an A-pod office. A 20-year-old inmate allegedly punched the officer multiple times.
ABC Mid North Coast reports the correctional officer was released from a Sydney hospital last week.
This comes after a similar situation occurred in May last year when a correctional officer was taken hostage at the centre and was punched by a 32-year-old maximum security inmate before being threatened with a prison-made weapon.
A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman said the safety of staff is their highest priority.
"We will continue to work with staff, the unions and Safework NSW on ways to strengthen and improve processes and systems where required," they said.
"Any assault on staff is unacceptable and we're providing the affected officers and other staff with all available support."
Since May last year, Mid North Coast Correctional Centre has progressed a number of steps to enhance security and safety, including:
- Increased staff training on first response and hostage scenarios;
- Enhanced communications around intelligence to ensure officers are prepared and vigilant;
- A review of infrastructure including fencing and CCTV cameras; and
- A review of procedures around the movement of inmates.
An internal review into the December incident is also ongoing. CSNSW will consider the findings of this review once finalised.
