To combat radicalisation in the NSW prison system, inmates will be banned from possessing videos and images that promote terrorism or extremism.
The Criminal Procedure Act 1986 will be amended to stop inmates from possessing extremist material that is used as evidence in criminal proceedings against them.
Inmates undergoing trial will continue to receive a fair trial and can provide their lawyer with any extremist material in their possession.
If the inmate is self-represented, they will be able to view the extremist material under the supervision of the prosecuting authority.
Extremist material includes:
- articles, images, speeches or videos that encourage acts of terrorism
- statements or posts made on social media, chat rooms or blogs that encourage acts of terrorism
- content from websites created or hosted by terrorist organisations
- terrorist training materials
- videos or images of terrorist acts.
Inmates caught in possession of extremist material face two years imprisonment.
Minister for Counter Terrorism and Minister for Corrections David Elliott said NSW has the toughest counter-terrorism laws in the country.
“Having extremist material in a correctional centre inhibits efforts to deradicalise the person, and increases the risk of radicalisation of other inmates,” Mr Elliott said.