Prisoner found naked in his girlfriend's cell after climbing two fences in maximum security prison and trying to marry his lover in prison

A prisoner found naked in his girlfriend's cell inside the walls of Australia's largest prison had been repeatedly allowed to marry her behind bars.

The loved-up couple had a brief private meeting at the Clarence Correctional Center in northern NSW last Saturday after the male inmate climbed two fences to get to his lover.

The privately owned prison near Grafton is a 1,700-bed maximum and minimum security facility for men and women and has been managed by Britain's Serco since it opened in July 2020.

NSW Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong told Daily Mail Australia an investigation is underway into how the male inmate entered his lover's cell.

“Thankfully, officers were able to respond to this incident within seconds, keeping everyone in the facility safe,” Mr Chanthivong said.

'The prison is not a holiday camp, so both prisoners will face significant consequences for their actions.

'The results of the investigation will help strengthen procedures and prevent similar events in the future.'

Daily Mail Australia understands both prisoners were in protective custody in the so-called Special Management Area Placement sections of the prison.

Once the male inmate reached the female SMAP unit, the pair barricaded themselves in his girlfriend's cell until prison staff used tear gas.

The male inmate was naked and, according to a source, “ready to go” when he was taken from the cell.

Another source told Daily Mail Australia that the couple had applied to get married in prison, but their application was rejected because they did not meet administrative requirements.

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the likely punishment for the couple would be the withdrawal of privileges such as visitation or 'buying up'.

If it were determined that some level of planning or communication had taken place between the pair prior to the rendezvous, one or both inmates could be transferred to another prison.

“It's important to get where he got,” a prison source said. “You have to go over at least two fences.”

That source described both prisoners' criminal records as “pretty mundane” and said neither was high-profile.

A Clarence Correctional Center spokeswoman confirmed the incident and said “a tactical plan was immediately implemented, which involved the deployment of a chemical agent.”

“Responding officers secured the inmates safely. No staff or prisoners were injured in the incident.

'It is known that the prisoners involved, a man and a woman, are in a relationship.

“An investigation into the incident has been launched.”

The escapade was said to be over in ten minutes and it was unknown if the couple had time to perform any sexual acts.

Users of a Facebook page popular with current and former prison staff made light of the incident, but also drew attention to security concerns.

“The best part is that if she's pregnant, our future careers are safe!!” someone wrote on The Last Governor's page.

“Well he had a happy new year,” wrote another.

Other comments included: “Neither bars, locks, fences or motion cameras can get in the way of true love” and “You just can't make this up.”

Clarence is one of three NSW prisons run by the private sector.

Junee Correctional Center has been run by US-based GEO Group since it opened in 1993, but the company's contract will not be renewed when it expires in 2025.

Parklea Correctional Center is managed by MTC-Broadspectrum.