The public has been given a glimpse into Australia's most secure prison - home to serial killers and accused terrorists, in a new government report.
Supermax, also known as the High Risk Management Unit within Goulburn jail, has been shrouded in secrecy since it opened in 2001.
But it recently came under scrutiny as part of a broader parliamentary inquiry into how the NSW Department of Corrective Services managed high-risk prisoners.
Supermax is home to the nation's most notorious criminals, including serial backpacker murderer Ivan Milat and Lebanese gang leader and triple murderer Michael Kanaan.
It also houses accused terrorists.
As part of its prisons inquiry, the NSW Legislative Committee examined the correctional philosophy, alleged human rights breaches, prisoner segregation and assignment of inmates at Supermax.
An entire chapter in the report is dedicated exclusively to Supermax.
In summary, it suggests the prison is operating effectively in managing some of Australia's most dangerous prisoners.
But the committee has made some recommendations, including that the department make public an analysis of assaults and other correctional centre offences committed by Supermax inmates, once that research is completed.
It has also suggested a review of referral processes relating to mentally ill prisoners entering and leaving Supermax.
The report provides some detail on prison facilities, types and numbers of inmates, behaviour management strategies and staff-prisoner interaction.
Currently only about half full, Supermax has the capacity to house 75 inmates, accommodating them in single-bed cells with a 10cm-wide window.
Prisoners are allowed out of their cells for 5hours, during which time they have access to a day room and rear yard. There is also a running track and two basketball courts, but those facilities are available only to some prisoners, based on a rewards system.
That system came under fire last month after revelations Milat had been rewarded for good behaviour with a television set and a toasted-sandwich maker.
Amid public outcry, the NSW Government suspended Milat's privileges and ordered a review of the system.
As of April 3 this year, Supermax housed 36 inmates.
They included 21 convicted murderers, who between them were responsible for 42 killings.
Also in the prison were five people accused of terrorism offences.
The report acknowledged the risks to Supermax staff who had personal contact with inmates "virtually every time they open a cell".
Commissioner Woodham said that since Supermax opened in 2001, there had been two minor assaults between inmates and one attack on staff.
During the inquiry, the committee received complaints Supermax breached international human rights standards relating to access to natural light and fresh air.
The committee said human rights concerns raised about Supermax "appear to have been magnified by the high security in place at the unit and a perceived lack of openness on the part of the department in providing information about the operations".
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