One of Australia’s most at-risk prisoners is calling for the closure of NSW’s toughest prison, saying inmates have been subjected to cruel and inhumane punishment.
Bassam Hamzy, the 45-year-old founder of the infamous Brothers 4 Life gang, represented himself in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday after launching a civil action against the Corrective Services Commissioner.
He claims conditions at the Goulburn Supermax, a maximum security prison within the Goulburn Correctional Centre, breach NSW law.
Hamzy recalled distressing incidents of self-harm, suicide and segregation in prison, which he said could “reasonably be expected to adversely affect the physical and mental health of prisoners”.
Bassam Hamzy (pictured), the 45-year-old founder of the infamous Brothers 4 Life gang, wants Goulburn Supermax prison closed
Hamzy claims Supermax (pictured) subjected prisoners to cruel and inhumane punishment after allegedly witnessing several self-harm and suicide incidents involving other prisoners
In handwritten documents, Hmazy asked the court to declare Supermax in breach of NSW regulations and order that it be ‘closed or brought into compliance with the law’.
He provided a list of incidents ‘concerning (himself)’ which he believed were detrimental to his mental health, including a prisoner setting fire to his own cell.
“If a prisoner commits suicide next to me, it affects me,” Hamzy told the Supreme Court, news.com.au reported.
“If a prisoner sews his lips shut or spreads feces all over his body, it impacts me.”
The Supermax, officially called the High Risk Management Centre, is known for holding some of NSW’s most dangerous criminals, including terrorists and murderers.
The Supermax (pictured), officially called the High Risk Management Centre, is known for holding some of NSW’s most dangerous criminals
James Emmett SC, acting for the commissioner, urged the court to dismiss Hamzy’s application as issues relating to other prisoners were not intended to be punitive.
The court also heard that Hamzy has collected statements from prisoners including gang killer Naseam El-Zayat and an old affidavit from ex-Bandidos bikie Kon Georgiou.
He claims he tried to collect more affidavits from other inmates, but staff used his status as an at-risk inmate to prevent him from talking to “willing witnesses.”
Hamzy’s list of potential witnesses included Brothers 4 Life-related hitman Conrad Craig.
“I already know what they’re going to say,” Hamzy said of the witnesses.
“I’ve lived through their experiences and I know their experiences.”
Hamzy has been jailed since 1999 after he was arrested and found guilty of shooting dead a Sydney nightclubber in 1998.
He has also faced charges of running a drug ring behind bars at the Supermax prison.
Hamzy is also asking the court to declare a 2022 decision to deny him telephone contact with a lawyer as an abuse of power.
Hamzy on Tuesday called on the commissioner to file incident reports from Supermax.
The case will return to court at a later date.
Hamzy claims Supermax staff stopped him from speaking to other ‘willing witnesses’ including Brothers 4 Life-linked hitman Conrad Craig (pictured)