New details emerge about how Ben Roberts-Smith was treated in jail as Victoria Cross recipient acted like a 'model prisoner'

Published: 04:37, 22 April 2026 | Updated: 04:37, 22 April 2026 Ben Roberts-Smith was given eye masks to help him sleep and extra food while behind bars, according to prison sources. The former SAS soldier, who is facing five war crime - murder charges, was handed the extras during his ten days in custody at Silverwater Correctional Centre in western Sydney because he was a was a model prisoner and 'asked for nothing'. 'He spent a lot of the time exercising. When the other prisoners got a glimpse of him through the wires they cheered and yelled out,' a source told news.com.au. 'He wasn't keen on the lights at night, even put clothing over his head, so a couple of the guys even offered him eye masks. 'But that's not because he wanted anything special. That's because he was treated with respect.' The source dismissed concerns over whether Roberts-Smith, 47, was afforded special treatment as 'quite ridiculous'. It comes as another source said Roberts-Smith's partner, Sarah Matulin, drove around for hours to dodge the tailing media as they travelled back from Sydney to Brisbane following his release on bail last Friday. 'This really is becoming a spectacle, even more than he could have anticipated,' one close friend said.  Prison guards offered Roberts-Smith extra food and eye masks to help him sleep while he was in custody The former SAS soldier spent 10 days inside Silverwater Correctional Centre in Sydney 'How anyone thinks he can get a fair trial with all this media mobbing is beyond me.' It comes just days after the Victoria Cross recipient slammed the actions of police as 'sensational' in his first public address since he was charged with alleged war crimes. While holding a brief press conference on Queensland's Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon, Roberts-Smith said the high-profile nature of his arrest at Sydney Domestic Airport on April 7 had significantly impacted his family. 'I understand this is an unprecedented case and the public interest is huge... but I'd ask that the media please allow my family their privacy at this time, particularly my children, who have already unfortunately suffered through a deliberate sensational arrest that was made last week,' he said. 'An unnecessary spectacle. I understand this journey will be long, I understand this journey will be difficult, but I can promise everybody that I have never ran from a fight in my life. 'I will never give up and I will always be in the fight.' He said he looked forward to 'clearing his name in court'. 'As I've always maintained, I categorically deny all of these allegations, and while I would have preferred these charges not be brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name,' Roberts-Smith said. Sources said Robert-Smith treated prison guards with respect and spent a lot of the time exercising (pictured a cell inside Silverwater's Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre) His partner Sarah Matulin was by his side as he gave a brief address to the media on Sunday  'I'm proud of my service in Afghanistan. While I was there, I always acted within my values, within my training, and within the rules of engagement.' Roberts-Smith was granted bail on Friday after Local Court Judge Greg Grogin said the former soldier would likely spend 'years and years' in custody if bail was refused. Among the strict bail conditions facing him are restrictions on his travel outside of his home state of Queensland (unless for legal or medical appointments), the surrender of his passport, and the restricted use of one phone and one laptop, the details of which must be provided to police. He has also been banned from contacting any prosecution witness directly or through another party. The court demanded a $250,000 surety, which would be forfeited if Roberts-Smith failed to attend court, or in any way breached his bail. It's understood his father Len, a former judge, had offered to provide that surety. Roberts-Smith is accused under the Commonwealth Criminal Code of shooting dead an unarmed Afghan, murdering another with an SAS comrade, and ordering the execution of three more, while he served with the Special Air Service in Afghanistan. His arrest came almost three years after he lost a defamation action against Nine newspapers, which published a series of reports in 2018 accusing him of being a war criminal. The case against Roberts-Smith will be run by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, and his defence funded by the Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme. He thanked Ms Matulin, his 'beautiful' 15-year-old twin daughters, his parents, and Ms Matulin's family for their 'unwavering' support Each of the charges against Roberts-Smith carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He has always denied involvement in any unlawful killings. He is due to face court again on June 5. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.