Three corrective services officers have been stood down after they bashed a prisoner who had spat in the face of one of the officers.



Graphic camera footage released yesterday shows the three officers repeatedly punching the prisoner in a holding cell.



NSW Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham released a statement last night saying he has ordered a review of the Department’s use of force policy following the assault at the Newcastle Court cells.




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He said three officers were immediately stood down following the assault on October 17 last year.



Mr Woodham said that the inmate spat in the face of a custodial officer after being placed in a holding cell. The officer then entered the cell and punched the inmate repeatedly.



Commissioner Woodham said he had stood down the three officers involved in the incident within an hour of being notified of the incident.



He said he has ordered a review of the Department’s use of force policy.



The inmate was charged with assaulting the officer by spitting in his face and was sentenced to two months imprisonment. He was offered medical treatment but did not accept the offer.



The officer pleaded guilty to the assault on March 20 and is due to be sentenced next month on May 10.



“There is no excuse for this type of incident,” Commissioner Woodham said.



“The Department took the necessary action following this incident, all three officers were stood down within an hour.”