Attorney General John Hatzistergos has bungled the isolated detention of jailed murderer and high risk prisoner Bassam Hamzy who could be released back into the general jail population, Shadow Justice Minister Greg Smith SC said today. 

“If John Hatzistergos was even half capable of overseeing the state’s prisons he would have ensured that when Hamzy was isolated from other prisoners, he stayed isolated,” Mr Smith said.

“NSW residents are now left with the likely prospect that a murderer who was suspected of being the ringleader of a planned escape is released back into the general jail population,” he said.

“Mr Hatzistergos had boasted he was getting tough on Hamzy but completely bungled the case.

“Yesterday lawyers for Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham failed to even appear at the Supreme Court hearing of Hamzy’s appeal against his isolated detention, virtually ensuring the Court allowed his application.

“Mr Hatzistergos should have been able to defend the decision to isolate Hamzy but instead he went to water.

“Earlier this year Mr Hatzistergos had claimed Hamzy’s isolation would break up a ‘Jihad group’ and that it was made possible by 'sweeping changes to the prison regulations'.

“It’s clear the Minister was more worried about media headlines rather than isolating high risk prisoners and has failed completely.

“Minister Hatzistergos should take responsibility, unreservedly apologise to NSW residents for bungling Hamzy’s isolation and take necessary steps to ensure he does not pose an escape risk,” he said.