Tony Mokbel attack accused to face court on Friday
An urgent review of prison security has been called for in the wake of Monday’s attack on drug lord Tony Mokbel in which he was repeatedly stabbed and stomped on.
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A sweeping review of prison security has been called for in the wake of the attack on drug lord Tony Mokbel.
Teira Bennett and Eldea Teuira, both aged 21, will appear in court in Geelong today accused of attacking Mokbel following a 21st birthday celebration at Barwon Prison on Monday.
Shadow Attorney-General Edward O’Donohue has called for the Ombudsman to launch an urgent review of whether 57 recommendations relating to the management of Victoria’s prisons — made as part of a report into the 2010 murder of Carl Williams — have been implemented.
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Mr O’Donohue wrote to the Ombudsman on Wednesday and said: “With another serious, near-fatal attack on a high profile offender and prisoner at Barwon Prison, I believe that it may be timely for the Ombudsman’s Office to consider a review and audit relating to the implementation of the report’s original 57 recommendations.
“Such a review might confirm the current status of each recommendation, whether each recommendation was fully embedded while providing an assurance that Corrections Victoria continues to maintain compliance with the recommendations.
“Such brazen and violent attacks on prisoners within Victoria’s corrections system are of grave concern and cause considerable angst within the community with respect to the integrity of the entire justice system.”
The report which followed the fatal attack on Williams identified a number of serious weaknesses in the state’s prisons.
The recommended changes were related to issues including prisoner placement, corrections intelligence and risk management.
Bennett and Teuira will face Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Friday on attempted murder charges. They also face counts of intentionally causing serious injuries and causing serious injury intentionally in terms of gross violence.
Facebook posts seen by the Herald Sun show Bennett celebrated his birthday the day of the brutal jailhouse ambush.
A post from one friend reads: “Happy birthday darlin, hope you’re have an awesome day! I wish all the best for you! And I’ll see you soon! Love you lots xxxx.”
Mokbel was left fighting for life after being beaten and stabbed with a shiv as the daily 4pm lockdown loomed.
He was repeatedly stabbed and stomped on. Another inmate, Steven Logan, 31, was also attacked.
Mokbel’s health improved on Wednesday, with his condition changing from critical to serious at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Originally published as Tony Mokbel attack accused to face court on Friday