Inmates in a high security prison are there for good reason.
They are a menace to society and thus kept away from law abiding people. However, even the worst criminals should be afforded a measure of security against other inmates. Otherwise a prison can become anarchy centers instead of correction facilities.
The Herald Sun reports that an investigation into Carl Williams' death has been told guards at Victoria's highest-security prison played indoor cricket while they were supposed to be watching our worst criminals.
The Herald Sun can reveal the activities have been exposed by a Corrections Victoria inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the gangland killer's brutal death inside Barwon Prison's notorious Acacia section in April.
The cricket games have caused alarm at the top levels of corrections management, not just because of the Williams killing but because Acacia is home to some of Australia's most dangerous prisoners.
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The Herald Sun understands stumps were drawn at the time of his slaying, on April 19.
There is believed to be no indication the cricket matches were a factor in the murder of Williams, but Corrections Victoria management has warned staff at the jail, near Geelong, there is to be no repeat of the practice.
The inquiry is also believed to have examined why an officer spent days painting his office in the week before Williams was murdered, instead of attending to prison duties.
Sources say such work is carried out by officers because the area is so secure that outside tradesmen cannot be allowed in.
A fellow prisoner has been charged with bashing Williams to death, allegedly using the stem of an exercise bike.
Staff did not see the attack displayed on CCTV monitors, despite it being captured by security cameras.
The Department of Justice yesterday declined to comment.
More details here
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