Mount Gambier Prison guards strike over staffing levels at G4S-owned jail

SA prison officers have walked off the job in protest of “dangerous” staffing levels, leaving just six on duty to guard 600 prisoners during the night.

Guards at a major, privately-owned South Australian prison have staged a walkout in protest of “dangerous” understaffing with just six rostered on to manage around 600 prisoners overnight, organisers say.

Almost all of the 100-strong Mount Gambier Prison workforce took part in the six-hour strike on Saturday, just weeks after they last walked off the job amid safety concerns.

Guards made a second stand claiming prison owners G4S had failed to meet their demands with banners, flags and blasting We’re Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister from a car.

Mount Gambier Prison guards walked off the job over dangerous and poor working conditions on Saturday. Picture: Arj Ganesan

United Workers Union organiser Darren Roberts said the systemic understaffing was dangerous for both prisoners and guards alike.

“The prison doesn’t have an infirmary meaning prisoners need to be escorted by two correctional officers to Mount Gambier,” he said.

“If that happens on night shift, it can put pressure on all the other staff to be able to cover that work.

“They’ve asked for correctional officers to escort up to 100 prisoners by themselves.

United Workers Union Organiser Darren Roberts. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“It’s just not safe … it only takes one spark, and all of a sudden, you’re in danger.”

Protesters gathered in a field just off Carpenter Rocks Rd, kicking the footy, cooking a barbecue and speaking of their daily struggles.

Asking not to be identified for their safety, protesters said workers felt “undervalued” with only six guards rostered on night shift and forced to eat “prison food” during their 12-hour shifts due to the lack of staff kitchen facilities.

“They value the money more than they value their staff,” one said. “They cut things for us so that they make a bigger profit margin.

During the six-hour strike correctional officers were armed with banners and signs. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“(The prison has) been known to run with only two staff before on a night shift, because two lots of people had to go to hospital.”

Another protester and partner to a guard said the poor conditions took a huge toll on workers and their families.

“The safety thing is huge … I do worry,” they said. “They’re losing good COs (correctional officers) because of the way that they’re treating them.

Almost all of the 100-strong Mount Gambier Prison workforce took part in the strike. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“It’s not just a physical thing but it’s a mental thing — (there’s a) huge burnout rate.”

G4S, which has owned the prison since 1995, issued a brief statement following the strike.

“G4S continues to communicate with employees and discuss the situation with the United Workers Union in good faith,” a spokesperson said.

“Safety for employees and those in our care at Mount Gambier Prison is treated with the utmost importance.”

In 2017 a female prison guard was raped by a convicted murderer who was 12 years into his 22-year minimum term and a year later, management warned staff it would run “very lean” to secure a further bid to run the expanded 653-bed facility.

G4S will meet with union again on Thursday where it “hopes an agreement will be reached.”