Allegations of Illegal Monitoring in New South Wales Prisons

A New South Wales parliamentarian, Emma Higginson, has alleged that prison officers unlawfully monitored her phone calls with inmates and subsequently threatened those who sought her assistance. Higginson, a member of the upper house, indicated that inmates typically contact her office regarding concerns about their welfare or access to health services. She expressed that these calls should be confidential, stating, “Those sorts of calls are frightening for us, and we expect people to be able to make those calls in confidence.”

The Guardian

Higginson acknowledged the possibility of being mistakenly categorized on a friends and family call list rather than a privileged calls list, but emphasized that it is the responsibility of Corrective Services NSW to adhere to legal requirements regarding such communications. In response to the allegations, Corrective Services NSW confirmed an investigation is underway, asserting that they have established practices for monitoring inmate calls.

The Guardian

The controversy arises amid a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over inmate treatment and monitoring practices. In December 2025, the number of adults in New South Wales prisons reached record levels, exacerbating concerns regarding inmate welfare. Earlier this month, Higginson successfully moved a disallowance motion, supported by the Coalition, to repeal a government regulation that expanded monitoring of inmate communications. This regulation, introduced in January 2026, aimed to limit confidential communications between prisoners and legal practitioners, a move criticized by opposition members for lacking concrete justification.

The Guardian

The leader of the government in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, defended the regulation, stating it was intended to close a “potential loophole” that could allow unmonitored communications to facilitate criminal activity. However, shadow attorney general Damien Tudehope criticized the government for failing to provide specific instances of abuse that necessitated such regulations.

The Guardian

The scrutiny of monitoring practices follows the 2024 inquiry into former prison officer Wayne Astill, who was sentenced to 23 years for abusing his position. The inquiry revealed that Astill had exploited information obtained from monitored communications to intimidate inmates. Testimonies indicated a pervasive distrust among prisoners regarding the confidentiality of their communications with legal representatives, leading to unreported misconduct.

The Guardian

Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong described Higginson's allegations as “very serious” and emphasized the need for corrective measures if wrongdoing is confirmed. He acknowledged the complexities of the correctional officer role, stating, “Being a correctional officer is probably one of the hardest, most complex and most volatile jobs you can have in the NSW government.”

The Guardian

The ongoing investigation and the recent disallowance motion signal a critical examination of the balance between security measures and the rights of inmates to confidential communication. As the situation develops, further scrutiny of the practices within New South Wales prisons is anticipated.

The Guardian

• “Those sorts of calls are frightening for us, and we expect people to be able to make those calls in confidence,” — Emma Higginson, NSW Parliamentarian

The Guardian

• “If there are things that have gone wrong, then my expectation is that this needs to be fixed,” — Anoulack Chanthivong, Corrections Minister

The Guardian

• “Being a correctional officer is probably one of the hardest, most complex and most volatile jobs you can have in the NSW government,” — Anoulack Chanthivong, Corrections Minister

The Guardian