A corrections officer has been charged with the murder of a prisoner, despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by an Ethical Standards investigation.

The charges relate to an incident in March 2019, where an inmate assaulted an officer in an attempt to escape while he was transported to Lismore Base Hospital.

A warning shot was fired to no avail before a second discharge hit and killed the prisoner.

The officer was indicted for manslaughter earlier this year but the Director of Public Prosecutions upgraded the charge to murder yesterday.

Public Service Association of NSW General Secretary Stewart Little said he was “gobsmacked” when he received the notice by letter.

“Our members in the prisoner officers branch are meeting as we speak because it has really resonated with them,” he said.

“It’s created a high degree of anger; I do expect our members will walk off the job in frustration, but again, that’s down to them.”

Mr Little said the incident was an example of corrections officers being forced between a rock and a hard place.

“If that inmate makes his escape, reoffends in the community, those officers would face very severe disciplinary charges, as would this officer.”

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