No sunbaking for snakes at Sydney prison

Sneaky snakes slithering into the grounds of an outer Sydney prison won't get far with staff being taught how to deal with venomous intruders.

After several venomous snakes were found at the John Moroney Correction Complex near Windsor last summer, a dozen workers completed a venomous-snake training course to prepare for the warmer months to come.

"We had an influx of snakes last summer, including a four-foot eastern brown snake inside the complex perimeter and another in one of our programs buildings," prison spokesman Ivan Calder said in a statement on Wednesday.

"It scared the heck out of us."

Former Australian Reptile Park venom expert John Mostyn taught the group about the handling and safe release of snakes, and the use of hooks and bags in capturing them.

Staff practiced on death adders, eastern browns and tiger snakes.

"Australia is home to more than 150 species of snake - of which 96 are venomous and 54 are considered dangerously venomous," Mr Mostyn said.

"So it is important for people to understand how to deal with these beautiful creatures safely."