Three female inmates who were abused by a former NSW prison officer have told a Sydney court they were left feeling helpless, anxious, angry and isolated.
But one has told Wayne Gregory Astill he will now experience what it feels like to be vulnerable in custody.
Astill was facing a sentence hearing in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court, having been found guilty earlier this year of more than 30 offences including aggravated sexual and indecent assault, and misconduct.
They relate to his abuse of inmates at the Dillwynia Correctional Centre at Windsor.
In a victim impact statement, one of the women said she was alone, uncertain of her surroundings and isolated during her first time in jail when Astill took advantage of her.
She questioned how she could ever look her children, siblings and parents in the eye without feeling dishonour for them.
"Every time I look at myself, I see his hands and how he is touching me, which makes me feel disgusting," she said in the statement, which was read over a video link by a Corrective Services staff member.
"What he did to me is a scar that will be there forever."
"I can never forgive you for the things you have done to me when I was so vulnerable."
The woman said she had nightmares, and developed an eating disorder, as a result of the anxiety and stress caused by Astill's offending.
A second woman told the court she wanted to speak up but feared she would either not be believed, or be blamed.
"As an inmate, I was aware where the balance of power stood, and it definitely was not in my favour," her statement read.
She said when she finally spoke up, she was ignored.
"I do not trust people, especially older males," she said.
A third woman told the judge what she experienced was "traumatic and life-changing".
She told Astill he had a duty to ensure inmates were safe, but instead she was groomed and harassed.
"You took full advantage of your role," she said.
The woman said she regularly told Astill his behaviour was wrong.
"It felt like you treated it like a game — it was all for your needs, your benefit," she said.
"You saw me struggle, you saw how angry I would get, but you persisted, knowing I wasn't coping."
She said Astill had access to her phone calls, mail and all of her case history and used the information to gain her trust.
"Now you will understand the hurt, shame, and helplessness," she told him.
Astill's case returns to court next month.
