I understand this industrial action has been taken following the sentencing of an inmate in the Local Court of NSW over an assault on correctional officers, amid disappointment at this sentencing decision.

Corrective Services NSW has an urgent hearing before the Industrial Relations Commission today to resolve this.

The Government values the hard work of correctional officers, often in difficult and hostile circumstances. Correctional officers deserve to be safe on the job. While I understand staff are angry, a decision of the independent judiciary is not a basis for industrial action.

Centres remain secure and are being operated by a reduced number of staff.