The Public Service Association has condemned the violent assault at Adelaide Women’s Prison that left one inmate seriously injured and a correctional officer hospitalised, reported in today’s The Adelaide Advertiser.
According to reports, an inmate was struck with a metal pole during the incident, sustaining severe injuries, including head and facial wounds, and a nearly severed finger.
A corrections officer who intervened sustained serious injuries, including a suspected broken hand.
PSA Assistant General Secretary Celia Brougham said the attack highlights the extreme risks correctional officers face every day in dangerously understaffed and under-resourced prisons.
“Our members go to work knowing they could be assaulted at any moment. No one should have to face violence of this scale simply for doing their job,” Ms Brougham said.
“This incident shows once again that safety inside our prisons has been allowed to slide to unacceptable levels.”
The PSA says the incident exposes the impact of chronic understaffing and low pay on safety outcomes.
Correctional officers in South Australia start on salaries as low as $58,000 - the lowest in the country - and many are working excessive overtime or back-to-back shifts to keep the system functioning.
“When our prisons run on skeleton crews incidents like this become inevitable,” Ms Brougham said.
“We’ve been warning for years that without proper investment, it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or worse.”
The union is demanding a public commitment from the Minister and the Department for Correctional Services to urgently address safety issues.
It also wants urgent funding increases for staffing, training, and equipment, and a fair outcome in the current enterprise bargaining negotiations to properly recognise the dangerous nature of correctional work.
“This is not just a staff safety issue - it’s about the safety of every person inside our correctional system,” Ms Brougham said.
“When officers are stretched thin and security measures fail, both workers and inmates pay the price.”
The PSA has reaffirmed its support for the injured officer and has pledged to continue pushing for reforms to prevent further violence.
“Our thoughts are with the injured officer and their family,” Ms Brougham said.
“We will not rest until real, lasting safety improvements are delivered.
“Our members’ lives depend on it.”
Media contact: Tim Brunero 0405 285 547