Today’s vicious assault at Yatala prison is another example of a system in crisis where low wages has led to chronic understaffing due to attraction and retention issues, says the Public Service Association.
In the last few months there has been a number of violent assaults in SA prisons, on November 4th at Yatala Labour Prison a prisoner was king hit into unconsciousness in the engineering workshop lunch room leading to a large loss of blood.
Shortly before that another brutal attack occurred inside Yatala’s Mirnu Unit 1, a facility originally designed for rehabilitation programs. Nine prisoners reportedly attacked a single inmate in a sustained and savage assault that continued even after the victim lost consciousness.
And on Friday the 24th of October a female Corrections Officer was hospitalised and later diagnosed with a broken hand after being attacked by a metal pole wielding prisoner.
The Corrections Officer was injured while disarming the prisoner who had bashed another prisoner - that prisoner was later admitted to hospital with life threatening injuries to the head and neck, and an almost severed finger.
Today’s assault occurred at 9:15 this morning (Sunday the 7th of December) - a prisoner was brutally bashed in B Division Top West unit at Yatala Labour Prison.
A prisoner entered the victim’s cell where he attacked him with violent force.
Two other prisoners also entered and joined in on the assault.
The victim reported a loss of consciousness and was in a complete daze.
When coherent enough staff were contacted by intercom as the victim initially claimed he fell over.
The inmate was unrecognisable with serious facial injuries.
He had to be assisted to a lift that is not ordinarily used for inmates, and he was supported as he was unable to stand on his own.
The victim's condition was considered so severe that he did not attend the prisons Health Centre and an emergency ambulance attended the prison to collect him from B division.
The victim was rushed via emergency ambulance to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he went straight to emergency.
His condition there was considered serious enough to have no restraints applied. This only occurs when an inmate has a life threatening condition or when surgery is necessary.
The cell was cordoned off and was considered a crime scene awaiting SAPOL investigation.
Public Service Association General Secretary Charlotte Watson said the union has been warning about this for months.
“Today's serious incident further highlights the dangers within the South Australian prison system,” Ms Watson said.
“Prisons are volatile environments and Correctional Officers work hard to keep all inmates and staff out of harm's way but with the recent exodus of staff due to poor wages this has become difficult.
“We are losing so many experienced officers the remaining staff are juggling excessive workloads.
“There are not enough officers because they are leaving, and we are calling on the government to urgently beef up pay to help retain the staff still on the roster.
“Low wages means Correctional Officers leave for better paying jobs and the Department of Corrections is having terrible trouble replacing them because the wages are so unattractive.
“These chronic attraction and retention issues means the number of Correctional Officers who are less experienced become a greater percentage of the greater workforce.
“A lot of our members continue to seek employment interstate where they can be paid a liveable wage.”
“Our members are the most underpaid in the country, while struggling to pay the bills in a state that is fast becoming the most expensive to live.”
Contact: Tim Brunero 0405 285 547