Back in custody: The NSW Minister for Corrections says it was an administrative error in court documents that led to the mistaken release of a prisoner in northern NSW. Kyle Quayle was released from the Clarence Correctional Centre on Tuesday — the same day he was sentenced to 12 months' jail for assault and shoplifting. You can follow this story here.
Photo supplied: NSW Police
Corrections report: Australia's independent watchdog for justice says Australia is breaching international laws through the use of segregation in NSW prisons. The Inspector of Custodial Services released a report into segregation. It found more than half of those put into segregation were First Nations people, one-in-two also had mental health issues, and one-in-four had confirmed or suspected intellectual disabilities. Justice and Equity Centre principal solicitor Jonathan Hall Spence says what happens in the state's prisons is illegal under international law. He says the report found 97 people were in isolation for more than three months.
Ballina solicitor charged: The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions says it has stood down a staff member who is currently before the courts on misconduct charges. Solicitor Vanessa Lee O'Bryan, 32, is charged with misconduct in public office over an alleged inappropriate relationship, data breaches and hindering the discovery of evidence. In a statement her employer, the ODPP says the department takes all criminal accusations very seriously and the solicitor was immediately suspended from duty without pay when police laid charges in October last year. It says a full internal investigation will take place after the criminal investigation concludes. The matter returns to the Ballina local court in May.
Foxes on the run: A fox eradication program has begun at two suburban parks in Lismore in a bid to protect native animals, including a rare beetle that was thought to be extinct. The Lismore City Council says foxes were found during works at Rotary Park and Claude Reilly Reserve, which are habitat for species such as the shorter rainforest ground beetle and threatened grey-headed flying foxes. Environment strategies officer Hannah Rice-Hayes says traps will be set over the next few weeks, and residents should keep their pets contained. She says foxes are one of Australia's most destructive invasive predators and a key driver of native species extinction.
Coral regeneration: Researchers from Southern Cross University are leading efforts to save coral reefs in Western Australia that were damaged during an extreme heatwave last year. Regenerative work has begun at Ningaloo reef using a technique pioneered at the university which involves collecting and cultivating more resilient coral spawn. Distinguished Professor Peter Harrison says the technique has proven successful in repairing parts of the Great Barrier Reef and is a vital tool in saving the increasing numbers of reefs affected by climate change.
Alstonville cyclepath: Ballina Shire Council is asking for feedback on plans for a transport pathway connecting Alstonville with Ballina. Route options have been identified, with an estimated cost of up to $35 million. Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says transport options are crucial, but the council needs to know what the community thinks.