An officer employed at the high risk management unit at Goulburn Jail has admitted before an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry to receiving thousands of dollars to bring mobile phones and drugs into the facility for inmates.
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The HRMU is touted as being one of the most secure jail facilities in Australia, housing 50 of the country's most dangerous criminals.
Cale David Urosevic, an officer in his mid 20's, employed at the jail since 1999, apologised for his actions at the hearing before ICAC Commissioner Irene Moss in Sydney yesterday.
He admitted to receiving $8000 from inmates' associates on the outside to bring contraband to two prisoners in March this year. The inmates' names were suppressed during the hearing and referred to as C1 and C2.
Mr Urosevic was suspended from duty and his employment terminated this week and according to Corrective Services Commissioner, Ron Woodham, Mr Urosevic was also likely to face criminal charges.
In an address to the inquiry counsel assisting the ICAC, Greg Farmer, said that in March this year the Goulburn Correctional Centre received information suggesting that an inmate at the HRMU had a mobile phone in his possession.
According to Correctional Services Commissioner, Ron Woodham, officers found four mobile phones in two adjoining cells at the Supermax facility during a search on March 14.
Mr Farmer told the inquiry that other items found included a mobile phone charger, a miniature digital camera that connects to mobile phones and a miniature ratchet device used for removing screws attaching the cover plate of the cell's wall light unit.
"Senior staff were convinced the tight security at the Supermax could only have been breached with the aid of a staff member, and ICAC was notified immediately," Mr Woodham said outside the inquiry.
"My department has a 'zero tolerance policy' on corruption, and we assisted ICAC every step of the way with their investigation to flush out the officer. We are an open and professional organisation, and expect our staff to be open and accountable," Mr Woodham said.
A joint investigation began to ascertain how the items managed to be brought into the unit.
Mr Farmer told the inquiry that several meetings took place between associates of C1 on the outside before and after the March 14 search in order to arrange for the contraband to be allegedly smuggled in and for payment to be made to Mr Urosevic.
The inquiry heard ICAC officers lawfully recorded one conversation between associates of C1 and Mr Urosevic at the boom gate entrance to the jail on June 28 this year.
"During this conversation Urosevic informed C1's associate that due to changes in security screening in the HRMU it was not possible to take contraband into the unit. Urosevic did however indicate that he might be prepared to take in what he referred to as ‘organic stuff' but nothing ‘electrical.' It would appear this was a reference to steroids and phones respectively. It was also an indication of the extent of the risks Urosevic was prepared to take," Mr Farmer told the inquiry.
The inquiry heard that investigators had taped a conversation between the two men in which Urosevic had replied that he wanted "the same as last time" when asked how much money was required for his part. In another taped conversation this was revealed as being $4000.
The two met at a fast food outlet on Goulburn's southern outskirts later that day to complete the handover, the inquiry was told.
Shortly after Mr Urosevic left the meeting he was stopped by ICAC officers and NSW Police on the Federal Highway heading towards Canberra.
"He was detained and his car searched during which $4000 in cash and 10 tablets were located. At this point Urosevic declined to be interviewed," Mr Farmer told the inquiry.
A Corrective Services spokesperson said it would be a matter for the Department of Public Prosecutions to decide on criminal charges against Mr Urosevic if the ICAC referred the matter to them.
Mr Woodham said he made no apologies for the officer who "has admitted his corruption before the ICAC."
"But I will state categorically that I have faith in the integrity and honesty of correctional officers as a whole who do a difficult and demanding job every working day."
He supported calls by the Minister of Justice, John Hatzistergos, to use jamming technology to prevent mobile phone usage inside jails.
The Department of Corrective Services has introduced additional security measures for staff at the HRMU and has limited their posting period to the unit.
The ICAC will deliver its findings on a date to be determined.
