NSW: Prisoners dispersed with tear gas during stand-off

00-00-0000
NSW: Prisoners dispersed with tear gas during stand-off

By Natalie Davison

SYDNEY, April 21 AAP - Inmates at a maximum security jail in NSW had to be dispersedwith teargas today during the second stand-off with prison guards at the complex in lessthan a week.

About 100 inmates at Lithgow jail, north west of Sydney, staged a one-hour stand-offwith guards after refusing to return to their cells.

A Corrective Services spokesman said it was not known what today's protest was about.

It comes after 80 inmates at the jail on Friday were involved in a two-hour stand-offwith officers.

Corrective Services said Friday's protest was aimed at voicing prisoner concern abouta riot at Goulburn jail earlier in the week, as well as issues with local management.

Last Tuesday, 30 prisoners armed with broken table legs and mop handles attacked andinjured seven prison guards during the Goulburn maximum security jail riot.

One officer who was beaten unconscious during the onslaught, 34-year-old Tim Swain,has undergone neurosurgery.

Mr Swain remains in a critical condition in Canberra Hospital.

A Corrective Services spokesman said no guards or inmates were injured during today's incident.

He said just after 3pm (AEST) about 100 inmates had refused to return to their cellsfor the evening lock-in.

"They were in the top compound of the jail," he said.

"They were requested to get back to their cells for the evening lock-in and they refused."

The spokesman said the governor of the jail issued two warnings that teargas wouldbe used to disperse the prisoners, but inmates refused to move.

"Chemical agents were used to disperse them and they are now back in their cells," he said.

"They've done a bit of damage to one of the wings, smashed a few windows and damagedsome furniture."

He said the inmates were not armed and the jail was now in lock-down mode.

Police will go to the prison tomorrow to assess the damage.

Meanwhile, a police spokeswoman said several charges had been laid against prisonersinvolved in last week's riot at Goulburn jail.

A 24-year-old male inmate has been charged with wounding with intent to murder, riotand causing grievous bodily harm.

He appeared in Goulburn Local Court on Thursday. The matter has been adjourned until May 29.

Five other inmates, aged between 23 and 31, have also been charged over the incident.

A police spokeswoman said further charges were expected to be laid in the next few days.

AAP nd/mg/sb

KEYWORD: INMATES NIGHTLEAD