Vic prison officers to get bean bag rounds

Specialist prison officers will fire bean bag bullets at inmates should there be a repeat of the Melbourne prison riots.

Guards have been given new powers to prevent serious incidents in the wake of riots at the Metropolitan Remand Centre over the introduction of a smoking ban that began on July 1.

The prison had access to the ammunition at the time of the riots but did not have the authority to use it, Corrections Commissioner Jan Shuard says.

The bean bag bullets - a type of padded shotgun round - would be used in limited circumstances by specially trained members of the Security and Emergency Services Group.

"We can only use them, according to the legislation, to prevent, control or stop a riot or where we have a serious threat to the security or good order of a prison," she told 3AW radio on Thursday.

The prison is still feeling the effects of riots that began on June 30.

Prisoners are still on lockdown for most of the day but tough restrictions on visitors and phone calls have been lifted.

About 85 per cent of repairs, costing taxpayers up to $12 million, have been complete.

Corrections Minister Wade Noonan said the bean bag rounds would offer prison staff an additional non-lethal option to keep themselves safe during serious unrest.

"The criminal behaviour that occurred at the Metropolitan Remand centre will not be tolerated," he said.