A Lavington woman freed after a long jail spell has avoided returning to a prison cell over her role in a vandalism spree costing thousands of dollars when she was still an inmate.
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Tamekah Rose Morgan was one of three prisoners to run amok in the "Mum Shirl Unit" of the Silverwater women's jail.
The damage bill was $11,302, which included the replacement cost for three sets of handcuffs.
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Corrective Services officers eventually had to storm the room where the inmates were holding out and use tear gas to bring them under control.
Defence lawyer Camille McKay told Albury Local Court magistrate Richard Funston that Morgan "had a lengthy period of imprisonment".
She was now, Ms McKay said, on a similarly lengthy period of parole.
Mr Funston said there was no doubt that what Morgan did represented a "very serious matter".
Ms McKay said one of the co-accused had a "lengthy" criminal history.
Morgan, 28, of Royce Crescent, has been free on parole since June.
She pleaded guilty this week to a single charge of destroy or damage property.
The court was told the incident took place on March 5.
About 2.20pm, the trio positioned themselves behind a door in their unit.
They waited until Corrective Services officers were nearby then pushed past them and entered the officer station, from where the unit was managed.
Police said that once inside the station, Morgan and the other two women locked the door. One officer told them to leave, but they refused and instead vandalised property.
This included the handcuffs, a computer screen, two CCTV monitors, a computer, a pocket smoke grenade, personal protection equipment and officer uniforms.
Morgan and the others were in the unit for an hour before guards were able to place them under arrest.
Mr Funston put Morgan on a 12-month intensive corrections order, with supervision and a condition to not use illicit drugs. She must complete 150 hours of unpaid community work.
