'As bad as they've ever seen': Drug-fuelled prison violence on the rise in South Australia

The number of violent incidents involving weapons in South Australian prisons is escalating, prompting grave concerns among prison officers. 

Workers say the violence is the worst it's ever been and is surging as a result of rising drug use. 

"Our members are telling us the situation is as bad as they've ever seen," Natasha Brown from the Public Service Association said.

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In the past week, 9News understands there have been three incidents at Yatala Labour Prison. Two officers were pushed in the face, and a prisoner pulled a sharpened toothbrush from under his clothes and attempted to stab an officer. 

The Department of Corrections confirmed the incident, adding that the prisoner involved was transferred to maximum security. 

"This is not an issue which is unique to Yatala, it's an issue common across the prison system lately," Brown said.

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The surge in violence has been attributed to rising drug use within prisons, with the substance suboxone reportedly trafficked in regularly. 

9News has been told drug searches do occur, but they're becoming less frequent, prompting concerns prisons are not adequately staffed and that workers could take industrial action.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.