Prison staff strike after inmate accused of guard assault released from custody
Prison staff have walked off the job across NSW after an inmate accused of brutally assaulting one of their colleagues was released from custody.
The officer was allegedly left with a broken eye socket, broken nose, and missing teeth in the attack at John Morony Correctional Centre near Windsor, 56 kilometres north-west of Sydney, several weeks ago.
The officer was allegedly left with a broken eye socket, broken nose, and missing teeth in the attack at John Morony Correctional Centre. Supplied
Staff at about 30 prisons and hundreds of courts voted to stop work on Tuesday morning and will remain off the job until 7am on Wednesday.
Inmates have been locked in their cells, while those involved in court proceedings are being taken back to correctional centres.
The Public Service Association says the inmate accused of the attack was granted bail on other matters and released from custody on Monday without being charged over the alleged assault.
PSA General Secretary Stewart Little said officers were furious about the handling of the case.
“Our members are livid, a corrections officer gets bashed and left with life-changing injuries, and the guy gets released back into the community without being charged? It’s outrageous,” Little said.
Inmates have been locked in their cells, while those involved in court proceedings are being taken back to correctional centres. Nine
“Every corrections officer in the state is forgoing a day’s pay today over this because the message they’re hearing is it’s okay for them to get bashed in their workplace.
“If this assault was perpetrated on a member of the public, we would expect the perpetrator to be charged and be outraged if this did not occur. Why should there be a different standard for our corrections officers?”
Little also said serious assaults inside NSW prisons had risen by 30 per cent, linking the increase to the number of domestic violence offenders entering custody.
“The jails are full of DV offenders due to the Minns Government’s crackdown, but it means serious assaults inside prisons are up by 30 per cent.
“These DV offenders come in off the street, they’re drug affected, they’re on remand, and they cause problems, corrections officers need to be backed up by the rest of the justice system and the government otherwise this strike will only be the beginning.”
Corrections officers are due to return to work at 7am on Wednesday.
In a statement, Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) said it had a zero-tolerance approach to assaults on staff and “will always support action being taken when incidents occur”.
An influx of domestic violence offenders entering custody has spurred a rise in serious assaults across prisons. Nine
“The alleged assault remains an active NSW Police investigation and any decisions regarding charges are matters for police,” CSNSW said.
“Staff are right to expect that inmates who assault them in the workplace will be met with the full force of the law and we encourage staff on duty to remain at work whilst police investigate.
“CSNSW staff commenced industrial action on Tuesday, 25 August, and the matter has been referred to the Industrial Relations Commission to assist with a resolution.
“All correctional centres remain secure and appropriate care and essential services continue to be provided for inmates.
“CSNSW is continuing to support the injured officer who, like all staff, deserves to be safe at work.”
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
