Police have charged 21 inmates following investigations into a riot at a correctional facility in the Hunter region earlier this year.
About 11.30am on Thursday 30 April 2020, a number of inmates allegedly caused significant damage to a correctional facility at Cessnock and were on the roof of the premises.
No police response was requested at the time.
In May 2020, officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation into the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, police issued Court Attendance Notices (CAN) to 21 men – all aged between 22 and 39 – for the offences of riot and participate in criminal group.
Of the men:
- Nine were served a CAN at a correctional facility at Goulburn (aged 22-39)
- Six were served a CAN at a correctional facility at Cessnock (aged 24-32)
- A 24-year-old man was served a CAN at a correctional facility at Kempsey
- A 28-year-old man was served a CAN at a correctional facility at Wellington
- A 33-year-old man was served a CAN at a home in Hamilton South
- A 32-year-old man was served a CAN at a home in Gosford
The 19 men are due to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Thursday 30 July 2020).
A 32-year-old man was arrested at Surry Hills Police Station and served a CAN yesterday. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 30 July 2020).
A 39-year-old man was arrested at a home in Tamworth and served a CAN earlier this month. He was refused bail and appeared at Tamworth Local Court on Friday 3 July 2020 where he was granted conditional bail to next appear at the same court on Monday 24 August 2020.
Police will allege that the men threatened unlawful violence towards Corrective Services NSW staff and damaged several areas of the facility, including the ceiling, doors and roof, along with items inside. The damage is estimated to be valued at more than $130,000.
Police have worked closely with CSNSW Special Operational Group North staff and officers during this investigation.
