Ben Murphy, formerly of Robert Street, Penrith and now an inmate at Bathurst Correctional Centre, was sentenced in Bathurst Local Court for using or possessing a mobile phone in a place of detention.

He appeared unrepresented, via audio-visual link.

The court was told the accused has been an inmate at Bathurst Correctional Centre for approximately seven months.

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On June 18, officers were conducting cell searches in the X Wing and, in Murphy's cell, underneath the bottom bunk, they found a small brown cardboard box containing a doona with the word "Murphy" written on it.

There were two pairs of boxing pads on top of the doona, according to the police facts.

As the officer picked up one of the pads, he heard a rattling noise within the pad.

He unlaced the pad and found a pouch of tobacco and, on further inspection, also found an open pouch of white tobacco, two small cigarette lighters, six packets of Tally Ho papers and a USB phone charger.

The officer inspected the second black pad and found two unopened 50-gram packets of White Ox tobacco concealed inside the pad.

He also found a black Optus smartphone and black travel charger concealed within the pad.

Another mobile phone and 22 capsules of steroids were located in the boxing pad.

Officers escorted the accused back to the X Wing, where he was strip-searched.

He was officially cautioned and questioned about the items and made full admissions to owning all the items, according to the police facts presented to the court.

Police were called and Murphy again made full admissions to owning the items.

The tobacco, Tally Ho papers, steroids and lighters were seized by corrections officers for investigation.

Murphy was imprisoned for three months, with the sentence to start on February 3, 2021.