Radicalised Islamic terror rocks Goulburn jail with live bullets and tear gas
Live bullets and tear gas have been used by prison officers in a desperate bid to break up violence surrounding radical Islamists trying to force inmates to adopt their extreme views inside a NSW prison.
Fighting inside the notorious and overcrowded Goulburn prison has occurred is an apparent escalation by a small but seemingly growing group of hard-line Islamic prisoners using intimidation, threats and fear to convert fellow cell-mates according to News Corp.
The latest violence broke out in the exercise yard of the prison’s maximum security wing, forcing prison officers to fire warning shots.
The incident occurred after two brawling inmates failed to stop fighting despite numerous warnings.
Reportedly a radicalised teen prisoner, alleged be an ISIS supporter, was charged after he reportedly poured boiling water over another inmate.
He also allegedly carved “e4e” (eye for an eye) into his head while inside the Kempsey jail earlier in the year according to News Corp.
Officers were forced to use tear gas when a further fight erupted between two inmates as the men were being escorted back to their cells by staff.
Prison sources reportedly said up to 25 inmates were present when the violence first erupted.
One of the men who has reportedly fallen under the influence of the notorious Brothers 4 Life gang is Trevor Thomas.
The gang were founded by Bassam Hamzy while he was serving his sentence at Goulburn Supermax.
Thomas is currently serving 20 years for sexual assault and robbery and was committed in 2007.
Thomas has reportedly been attempting to convert prisoners inside Goulburn jail and has since been described as the “ringleader” of the violence which erupted on earlier in the week.
Another convert, Conrad Craig, was charged with involvement in a riot at Goulburn jail in 2014, was also said to be involved in the brawl.
“This adds to the danger that prison officers are facing every day. Fortunately Goulburn has very skilled officers, well versed in dealing with these things,” Public Service Association prisons boss Steve McMahon told News Corp.
However in rebuttal Corrective Services acknowledged the violence but insisted Tuesday’s violence was “not religiously motivated”.
It is understood the fighting did not erupt as a direct result of an attempt to convert non-Muslim inmates, however as a result of the tension surrounding the topic.
“The commissioner praised centre staff who were able to defuse the situation quickly,” a Corrective Services spokesman said.
“NSW Police were immediately notified and investigations are continuing.”
Opposition prisons spokesman Guy Zangari linked the latest violence to overcrowding in NSW’s jails.
News break – July 14
