Corrective Services NSW
Operations Procedures Manual
SECTION 5.4 INMATE ACCESS TO COMPUTERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5.4
INMATE ACCESS TO COMPUTERS ................................................................. 2
5.4.1
SUMMARY PAGE ............................................................................................... 2
5.4.2
INFORMATION ................................................................................................... 5
5.4.3
APPROVAL FOR ACCESS TO COMPUTERS ................................................... 5
5.4.3.1
Inmate access to computers for employment purposes ...................................... 5
5.4.3.2
Inmate access to computers for educational purposes ....................................... 5
5.4.3.3
Inmate access to computers for the Corrective Services NSW Legal Info
Portal .................................................................................................................. 6
5.4.3.4
Inmate access to computers for legal purposes .................................................. 6
5.4.4
EXCLUSIONS TO THE AUTOMATIC OFFENDER ACCESS TO
COMPUTERS NETWORK PROCESS. .............................................................. 6
5.4.5
SUPERVISION ................................................................................................... 6
5.4.5.1
Electronic Supervision ........................................................................................ 6
5.4.6
PRINTERS ACCESSIBLE TO INMATES IN CORRECTIVE SERVICES
INDUSTRIES WORKPLACES AND EDUCATION AREAS ................................ 7
5.4.6.1
Network Printers ................................................................................................. 7
5.4.6.2
Non-Networked/Stand-Alone Printers ................................................................. 7
5.4.7
SOFTWARE........................................................................................................ 7
5.4.7.1
Software Register – Non-networked/Red Computers ......................................... 8
5.4.7.2
Software Register - Offender Access to Computers Network/Green
Computers .......................................................................................................... 8
5.4.8
TRANSFER OF DATA BETWEEN CORPORATE (STAFF) COMPUTERS
AND THOSE BEING USED BY INMATES ......................................................... 8
5.4.9
DISTANCE EDUCATION/EXTERNAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS .................... 8
5.4.10
REPORTING OF INFRINGEMENTS .................................................................. 8
5.4.11
DOCUMENT HISTORY ...................................................................................... 9
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5.4
INMATE ACCESS TO COMPUTERS
5.4.1 SUMMARY PAGE
Summary
Policy Overview
Purpose
Inmate participation in effective programs to reduce the risks of reoffending is a goal of the Corrective Services NSW Corporate
Plan. This includes increasing the skill levels of inmates.
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Scope
Strategic Focus
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To outline the circumstances under which inmates may have
access to desktop computers for authorised education and/or
training purposes and/or work activities. This includes the
practical supplementation of theory classes and distance
learning studies and in the case of CSI activities, practical
application for administrative functions.
To establish a corporate policy that recognises the importance
of inmates’ access to computers, while developing a regulated
framework that recognises and manages the security
compliance of that access.
To detail correctional centre staff responsibilities for the
security, storage and audit of all educational and business unit
hardware and software held at a centre.
To detail correctional centre education staff responsibilities for
intranet and internet use for educational purposes and
correctional centre staff use of Corrective Services Industries
Business Management System centres in conjunction with the
Corrective Services Industries Policy Manual.
To outline the relevant procedures to be followed for inmates
purchasing software.
To identify correctional centre staff responsibilities when
inmates use desktop computer and other technology
equipment.
To outline inmate responsibilities with regards to the use of
technology equipment and desktop computers.
This policy applies to all General Managers or authorised officers;
Corrective Services Industries Manager, Business Unit; Senior
Correctional Education Officers and qualified personnel who work
within centres where educational and/or vocational training
programs and work programs are provided. The Corrective
Services Industries Policy Manual should be consulted for specific
policy concerning employment of inmates. That manual includes
information concerning inmate access to computers in the course
of their employment that must be read in conjunction with this
policy.
These procedures affect all staff working within correctional
centres.
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State Priorities – NSW Making it Happen
Department of Justice Strategic Plan
Section 5.4 Inmate Access to Computers
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Legislation
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Corrective Services NSW Business Plan
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Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999
Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Regulation 2014
Related Policies
& Documents
Operations Procedures Manual sections:
 5 Inmate Services and Programs
 8 Legal and Administrative Matters
 9 Inmate Private Property
Corrective Services Industries Policy Manual section:
 8 Inmate Involvement in Clerical Work
 Appendix Inmate Computer Security Check
Information Security Policy
Annexures
5.5 Inmate Application for Access to Computers
5.6 Guidelines for Inmates Using Computers
Acronyms
AEVTI
Adult Education and Vocational Training Institute
CCTV
Closed circuit television
CSI
Corrective Services Industries
CSI - BMS
Corrective Services Industries – Business Management System
MOS
Manager Security
OAC
Offender Access to Computers.
OIMS
Offender Integrated Management System
SCEO
Senior Correctional Education Officer
Definitions
Antivirus/virus
protection
A software program that checks for and rectifies desktop
computer viruses.
Computers
Includes desktop and laptop computers
Exempt Bodies
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Ombudsman
Commonwealth Ombudsman
Judicial Commission
National Crime Authority
New South Wales Crime Commission
Anti-Discrimination Board
Police Integrity Commission
Commonwealth Human Rights & Equal Opportunity
Commission
Independent Commission Against Corruption
Privacy Commission
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Exempt Persons
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Legal Aid Commission
Legal Services Commissioner
Legal Services Tribunal
Administrative Decisions Tribunal
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Members of Parliament
legal practitioners
police officers
External Storage
Devices
In the context of this policy means:
 CD–RW and CD-R
 DVD; MP3 player
 USB Thumb Drive or Flash Drive
 Portable external hard drive
Green
Computers
Computers connected to the Offender Access to Computers
Network
Legal Info Portal
A joint initiative of Corrective Services NSW and the NSW Legal
Assistance Forum whereby inmates can access legal information
on a range of criminal, family and civil law issues. It is only
available to inmates on the Offender Access to Computers
Network. Information available via the Legal Portal is managed
by the Corrective Services NSW Library State Manager.
Networked
Computers
Inmate desktop or laptop computers that are connected to the
Offender Access To Computers Network. These are identifiable
by their green colour.
Non-Networked
Computers
Inmate desktop or laptop computers that are not connected to
the Offender Access to Computers Network. Non-networked
desk tops computers are identifiable by their red colour.
OAC Network
Computers connected to the Offender Network.
Prosecutorial
bodies
NSW Police, Australian Federal Police, NSW Director of Public
Prosecutions, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
and the Police Services and Directors of Public Prosecutions of
the remainder of the States and Territories of Australia not
already listed above.
Stand-alone
Computers
Computers not connected to the Offender Access to Computers
Network and stand-alone laptops
Supervision
In the context of this policy means:
 Continuing operational awareness and implementation of the
policy requirements.
 Formal assessment and continued monitoring of the
appropriateness of individual inmates having access to
desktop computers (including reference to the Corrections
Intelligence Group) and execution of Annexure 5.6
Guidelines for Inmates Using Computers
 Regular physical and electronic supervision of inmates in
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accordance with a risk assessment to ensure the
requirements of this policy are met.
Supervising
Officer
5.4.2
Can be the Corrective Services Industries Manager, Business
Unit; Manager Security; Senior Correctional Education Officer
(or authorised officer) or other officers nominated by the General
Manager
INFORMATION
This policy concerns inmate access to computers for work, educational and legal
purposes.
Staff must also consult the Corrective Services Industries (CSI) Policy Manual for specific
information concerning employment of inmates.
Under no circumstances are inmates to have access to corporate systems, staff
computers or workstations. Allowing an inmate to view the internet from a corporate
machine is not permitted.
Inmates can only gain access to the Offender Access to Computers (OAC) Network after
the Senior Correctional Education Officer (SCEO) or authorised officer has completed the
online Provision Form to initiate a login password.
For work, educational and legal purposes, inmates will have access to the following
computers:
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Networked computers - identifiable by their green colour.
These computers are connected to the OAC Network. They comprise of a central
server running a network of computers for the use of inmates. The OAC Network is a
solution designed and deployed to support user access from correctional centres.
Networked computers can be desktop or laptop computers.
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Non - networked/stand-alone desktop computers (identifiable by their red colour)
and non-networked /stand-alone laptops.
There are some authorised exceptions whereby inmates have supervised access to a
non-networked/stand-alone computer. These computers must be securely segregated
from the corporate network. Non-networked computers can be desktop or laptop
computers.
5.4.3 APPROVAL FOR ACCESS TO COMPUTERS
All access to computers by inmates shall be in accordance with the Operations Procedure
Manual and the CSI Policy Manual.
Inmates must agree to the terms and conditions as outlined in Section 5 of the Information
for Students Handbook available on the intranet - Corrective Services NSW > Offender
Management and Programs > Education and Vocational Training.
5.4.3.1
Inmate access to computers for employment purposes
The procedures for inmate access to computers for employment purposes are outlined in
the CSI Policy Manual section 8 Business Rules for Inmates Using the CSI-BMS.
5.4.3.2
Inmate access to computers for educational purposes
Inmates are approved to access the OAC Network when they are enrolled in an education
program or service.
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5.4.3.3
Inmate access to computers for the Corrective Services NSW Legal Info
Portal
Inmates are approved to access the Legal Info Portal on the OAC Network.
5.4.3.4
Inmate access to computers for legal purposes
This section must be read and implemented in conjunction with Operations Procedures
Manual Section 8 Viewing of Legal Material provided on an External Storage Device (e.g.
CD, DVD, MP3 player, USB Flash Drive).
Inmates requiring access to a non-networked/stand-alone computer to view and prepare
legal documentation are required to complete the following annexures:
 5.5 Inmate Application for Access to Computers
 5.6 Guidelines for Inmates Using Computers
5.4.4 EXCLUSIONS TO THE AUTOMATIC OFFENDER ACCESS TO COMPUTERS
NETWORK PROCESS
The following inmates will require approval from the Manager Security (MOS)/General
Manager/Corrections Intelligence Group before accessing computers:
 remand and sentenced inmates who are or could be the subject of National Security
Interest
 inmates deemed to be Extreme Threat Inmates
 inmates on restricted management regimes such as High Risk Inmate Management
Committee
 high profile inmates
See sections 17 and 18 of the Operations Procedures Manual.
5.4.5 SUPERVISION
Inmates must be subject to regular supervision in classroom and work areas when using
computers. Corrective Services NSW staff may monitor an inmate’s computer use by
direct supervision, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) or by logging into a networked OAC
account to shadow an inmate’s session.
Prior to an inmate using a computer, the supervising officer shall ensure that the cables
connecting the computer to the network are connected to the correct computer and
network ports.
When conducting regular supervision either directly or by CCTV, the supervising officer
must ensure that:
 inmates are only using the computer assigned to them
 inmates are not attempting to tamper with the computer/software/hardware or
cabling
5.4.5.1
Electronic Supervision
Electronic supervision refers to checking of computer drives and inmate files (inmate
folders on the computer system) for non-authorised files including non-authorised
software. The supervising officer must conduct monthly checks and document these
results which should be forwarded on to the MOS.
The supervising officer must also regularly undertake a physical check of computer
hardware for signs of tampering and ensure that all cables are connected to the correct
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ports. Any breach should be reported to the MOS immediately.
All networked/green computers have a shadowing function so that a supervising officer
can follow an inmate's use in real time. When shadowing an inmate, staff should avoid
reading any documentation that relates to an inmate’s legal proceedings as this
information may be claimed by the inmate to be privileged.
5.4.6 PRINTERS ACCESSIBLE TO INMATES IN CORRECTIVE SERVICES
INDUSTRIES WORKPLACES AND EDUCATION AREAS
5.4.6.1
Network Printers
Networked printers are connected to computers on the OAC Network. All cabling into
network printers must be checked prior to an inmate commencing duties in all Corrective
Services Industries work locations or attending classes to ensure that it is connected to the
correct port. The cabling must also be checked at the cessation of duty.
 within CSI workplaces inmates are not to be seated near network printers or
permitted to use networked printers if the inmate cannot be directly physically
supervised in its use by an officer
 within the classroom the OAC Network does not permit an inmate to print directly to
a networked printer. All printing must be initiated by education staff.
5.4.6.2
Non-Networked/Stand-Alone Printers
Non-networked printers are directly connected to non-networked/red computer via a USB
cable. These are stand-alone printers that are separate from the OAC Network.
All cabling into printers connected to non-networked/red computers must be checked prior
to an inmate commencing duties in CSI/Education workplaces to ensure that it is
connected to the correct port. The cabling must also be checked at the cessation of duty.
Printing performed on non-networked/stand-alone printers must be strictly supervised by
Corrective Services NSW staff.
5.4.7 SOFTWARE
Inmates undertaking courses of study may be required to purchase or be in the
possession of computer software.
Software either issued or purchased must be relevant to the course or study being
undertaken. Applications to acquire software must be endorsed by the SCEO and
approved by the General Manager or authorised officer.
The purchase of the software must be done on the inmate’s behalf by the SCEO or other
officer appointed by the General Manager. Inmates are not permitted to have software
purchased privately and sent into a correctional centre.
No maximum limit is prescribed in respect of purchase of software; however, the inmate
property policy will apply in terms of the amount of private property inmates may keep.
Software purchased for the inmate is to be provided to Department of Justice Information
and Technology Service to be uploaded to the OAC. Once it has been loaded onto the
OAC for use by the inmate the software must be placed in the inmate’s property and
entered on Offender Integrated Management System (OIMS) Register Property Items
screen (including the serial number of the software).
Software must not be kept by the inmate in their cell. However, the inmate may retain the
user manual and this should be recorded on the inmate in-cell property list.
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5.4.7.1
Software Register – Non-networked/Red Computers
To ensure compliance, the authorised officer must maintain a Software Register for nonnetworked/red computers containing the following information:
 the date and source of software requisition
 details of licence
 location of installation including serial number of the hardware in which each copy
of the software has been installed
 the existence, location and number of backup copies
 the key (code) needed to be entered in order to activate the software.
As part of carrying out the monthly check (as above) the software contained on each
computer’s hard drive must be matched against the details recorded in the in the Software
Register for non-networked/red computers as well as the software list outlined as outlined
in the section titled SOFTWARE above.
5.4.7.2
Software Register - Offender Access to Computers Network/Green
Computers
Software can only be installed centrally to an inmate's OAC account by Department of
Justice Information and Technology Services staff following approval by SCEO.
The software should be entered into the Software Register as above and then forwarded
with a covering letter indicating approval of the software and the name and Master Index
Number of the inmate to Information and Technology Services for installation onto the
OAC Network.
5.4.8 TRANSFER OF DATA BETWEEN CORPORATE (STAFF) COMPUTERS AND
THOSE BEING USED BY INMATES
There may be occasions where information needs to be transferred between corporate
(staff) computers and inmate computers.
Staff are permitted to use an external storage device to transfer this data providing that the
external storage device remains in the possession of the staff member. Under no
circumstances is an inmate to be in the possession of an external storage device. Inmates
found to be in possession of such devices will face disciplinary action.
5.4.9 DISTANCE EDUCATION/EXTERNAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
There will be occasions when an inmate (student) will be required to forward inmate disks
containing assignments to their distance learning institution. These assignments will be
transferred from the OAC Network onto a corporate machine via an external storage
device and forwarded to the distance learning institute via email by the SCEO (or
authorised officer). A copy of the email and the assignment must be kept on the inmate's
Electronic Document & Records Management System education file.
There will be occasions when an inmate will be forwarded course material on an external
storage device. The SCEO will arrange for the course material to be loaded on to a
computer for the use of the inmate. The SCEO will then forward the external storage
device to the officer in charge of inmate private property who will register the details of the
device in OIMS.
5.4.10 REPORTING OF INFRINGEMENTS
All Corrective Services NSW staff must report any infringement or non-compliance of this
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policy to the inmate's supervising officer and the MOS.
Inmates found to be in breach of the rules detailed in Annexure 5.6 Guidelines for Inmates
Using Computers must have their access to computers withdrawn immediately pending
determination of the allegation.
An alert must also be entered onto OIMS to indicate that an inmate's access to computers
has been withdrawn.
5.4.11 DOCUMENT HISTORY
Version
Date
Reference
1.0
March 2005
As per Commissioner’s Memo 2005/14
1.1
27 September
2006
Amendments as per DCOMO 2006/031
1.2
12 December
2006
Amendments to 5.4.1.1 as per DCOMO 2006/055
2.0
23 February 2012
Review of policy as per DCOMO 2012/26 and
COPM 2012/17
3.0
February 2016
Full Review
Reviewed
V3.0 February 2016
February 2016
Next Review
Section 5.4 Inmate Access to Computers
2019
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