The Government is today releasing the final report of Justice Peter McClellan’s Special Commission of Inquiry into the offending of former corrections officer Wayne Astill and the institutional response to the offending.

This inquiry was initiated because the nature of Mr Astill’s offending raised serious questions about the management and governance at Dillwynia Correctional Centre and Corrective Services NSW more broadly.

As the report makes plain, these concerns were well founded. The Special Commission has validated the stories of survivors. For too long, crimes against those in custody were ignored or silenced.

It is a confronting and distressing account of offences against women incarcerated at the Dillwynia Correctional Centre. It is a stark description of the multiple failings in the management of reports of misconduct. The offences and systemic issues detailed in the report are deplorable and inexcusable.

The Corrective Services NSW system has not met the expectations of the community, the NSW Government, or the majority of its 10,000 staff.

Our thoughts are with the victims of Mr Astill’s horrific crimes. We express our thanks and gratitude to those who bravely provided the Special Commission with evidence.  

This report does not remedy what they have endured but will inform action this Government takes to repair the correctional system and ensure future complaints are fully and appropriately investigated. 

As a state, it is important that we all acknowledge that we have a duty of care to those in our custody. 

The NSW Government is committed to undertaking the reform necessary to ensure inmates are properly protected, hard-working corrections officers are supported by sound management and strong integrity processes, and public confidence in the corrections system is restored. 

We also acknowledge the Corrective Services staff who raised their concerns. Implementing reforms will also help create a safer workplace for dedicated corrections officers who strive each day to ensure the safety of those in custody.

We want to thank the Commissioner, the Hon Justice Peter McClellan AM KC, and his staff for conducting this important inquiry swiftly and sensitively as they exposed failures within the correctional system.

The Government has begun the careful work of examining the 800-page report and its recommendations and will respond in due course. This significant report demands a detailed and considered response. Consistent with the recommendations and suggestions of the Commissioner, change will be broader than a single correctional centre. 

The evidence before the inquiry has been monitored closely and work is already underway to address some of the immediate matters raised. 

As recommended by Mr McClellan, a taskforce in the office of the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice has been established and will be responsible for implementing reforms.

Several steps already undertaken to improve the safety of inmates and the management of Dillwynia Correctional Centre include:

• Dillwynia now has a standalone Governor.
• Additional CCTV cameras have started to be installed in priority areas at Dillwynia.
• Specialist trauma counsellors have been engaged through Uralla Cottage to provide support to victims.
• In addition to existing avenues of support, a Sexual Misconduct Reporting Line has been established to provide a confidential reporting mechanism for inmates.
• The Corrective Services Support Line has increased its hours of operation.
• Face to face sexual harassment training has been completed for all employees in leadership, HR, Professional Standards and staff support roles.
• A compulsory online sexual harassment awareness training module has been launched to be completed by all CSNSW staff.
• All uniformed staff at Dillwynia Correctional Centre who work with inmates now have body worn cameras.

Further work will be carried by the Corrective Services Reform Taskforce over coming months. 

More information about the inquiry into offending by former corrections officer Wayne Astill at Dillwynia Women’s Correctional Centre is available at www.astillinquiry.dcj.nsw.gov.au. The final report of the inquiry is available at www.nsw.gov.au/the-cabinet-office/resources/special-commissions-of-inquiry/astill

Chris Minns

Premier of New South Wales

Anoulack Chanthivong

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building

Minister for Corrections