UPDATE: Prison officers at Cessnock Correctional Centre staged a walkout today after a man was handed what many are calling a “slap on the wrist” sentence for brutally assaulting four guards. Cameron Reginald Welsh, 26, was sentenced to a three-year good behaviour order in Cessnock Local Court, igniting outrage among corrections staff.
Shocking CCTV footage reveals the moment Welsh launched an unprovoked attack on an officer, brutally punching him while he was on the ground and subsequently assaulting others who intervened. The video, released by ACM, shows graphic injuries sustained by the guards during the February incident.
In response to the lenient sentence, members of the Public Service Association of NSW reported that officers at Cessnock walked off the job. Strikes quickly spread to other facilities, with jails across the state observing lockdowns and operating at roughly 10 percent staffing capacity. The situation has resulted in significant disruptions in local, district, and supreme courts statewide.
Two guards remain hospitalized, and the union described their injuries as “sickening,” noting that two of the assaulted officers will not return to work. Union President Nicole Jess, a sworn prison officer, expressed disbelief at the sentence, labeling it a “slap in the face to every prison officer in this state.”
Authorities report that Welsh, who was previously convicted of multiple violent assaults, has been moved to the Goulburn Supermax jail but could still be released under the conditions of his Community Correction Order, which commenced on October 29, 2025.
NSW Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong is calling for an urgent hearing at the Industrial Relations Commission to address the situation, emphasizing the importance of the safety of correctional staff. “While I understand staff are angry, a decision of the independent judiciary is not a basis for industrial action,” he stated.
The growing unrest among prison officers raises critical questions about the treatment of law enforcement personnel and public safety. As the strike continues, the state government faces increasing pressure to take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of correctional officers.
As the situation develops, it remains unclear how long the strike will last and what additional measures will be taken by the government to address the concerns of prison staff.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
