NSW Corrective Services have confirmed the security review will be conducted by a New Zealand Department of Corrections security expert.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It will review all security arrangements at Goulburn maximum security prison and make recommendations to Corrective Services NSW for possible improvements to procedures and systems.
The review will commence next Monday, August 24 2015.
Commissioner Severin praised Police officers for their work in recapturing Jamieson.
“The Police response was immediate and comprehensive,” said Commissioner Severin. “I thank all the Police officers involved for their quick and successful action.”
Corrective Services NSW is also conducting an internal investigation into the escape.
Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Peter Severin has announced an independent security review in addition to the investigation into an escape this afternoon from a segregation unit in the maximum security part of Goulburn Correctional Centre.
The inmate, Stephen Jamieson, was serving a 12-year sentence for armed robbery. (More here)
At the time, he was being held in a segregation cell with a small yard at its rear.
He was able to cut through parts of the metal gate at the back of the yard and climb the perimeter wall using a rope made of sheets.
He strapped a pillow to his stomach to assist in climbing over razor wire.
Jamieson is being investigated for possible involvement in digging a cavity found in a workshop in the prison last month.
“This is a very serious incident that should not have happened,” Commissioner Severin said.
“New South Wales’ prisons are very secure, and last year saw the smallest number of escapes in at least 30 years. Those escapes were all from minimum security.”
Police were immediately informed and commenced a search for the escapee. The Commissioner warned that anyone harbouring Jamieson risked prosecution and criminal charges.
Not so secure now
Just last month, Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle told the ABC the prison was "the strongest and most secure prison facility in New South Wales if not Australia."
The comments came after a small cavity was found behind a cabinet in a Jail workshop.
"I thought that there was a very adventurous American style prisoner," Mayor Kettle said at the time.
"I have complete confidence in the New South Wales Corrective Services department, particularly the Correctional Service staff at Goulburn Jail and Goulburn Super Max.
"They do a marvellous job and I don't doubt for a minute that it was the diligence of the staff that found this."
Mayor Kettle said it was unlikely any prisoner would be able to escape.
"There has been next to no escapes from Goulburn Correctional Centre and if there ever has been, they've been minimum security prisoners and if these guys are maximum security, they're in super max.
"They're in the strongest and most secure prison facility in New South Wales if not Australia."
