Comanchero bikie Richard Ene alleged guard bashings spark security talks at Barwon Prison
An officer has again been assaulted by a high-risk inmate following four staff hospitalisations in less than a week allegedly at the hands of a convicted gangland killer.
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Another officer has been assaulted by a high-risk prisoner in the wake of four hospitalisations allegedly at the hands of a convicted gangland killer.
This masthead has been told convicted armed robber and guard basher, Michael Cook, allegedly struck a senior worker to the ear inside Barwon Prison on Monday in an apparent attempt to be moved, heightening already rising safety fears among staff.
It’s understood maximum-security officers have become increasingly concerned at the tactic, raised during urgent recent talks with Corrections Victoria, WorkSafe and Community and Public Sector Union officials.
Cook is serving time over a series of crimes including two armed hold ups of gaming venues in Melbourne’s southeast in 2012.
He brutally bashed two officers inside Barwon’s infamous Acacia Unit in 2016.
The officer hit this week did not require medical treatment.
It comes days after four specialised officers were allegedly attacked within a week by feared Comanchero bikie Richard Ene after his return to the Lara facility last week.
He had been escorted to court in relation to his 2019 murder of underworld figure and former Tony Mokbel associate Mitat Rasimi prior to lashing out.
Two of the security and emergency services group members ended up in hospital on Wednesday.
CPSU officials met with Barwon Prison management the following day to discuss plans for future high-security escorts of the bikie to court appearances.
Talks included safety concerns how Ene was managed and moved within the prison for video link hearings.
Ene, 29, was recently transferred to Barwon following his suspected role in provoking other prisoners to attack staff at Port Phillip Prison.
He’s also accused of viciously stomping on the head of two officers inside the Exford unit of the Metropolitan Remand Centre on March 15.
It’s understood the sickening attack could have proved fatal if not for the intervention of other staff at Ravenhall.
A number of measures have been implemented in the wake of the violence following talks between CPSU and Corrections Victoria.
These included an increase in roving emergency response members, mandatory handcuffing of separated prisoners and that new and inexperienced members will not be rostered on night shifts.
It’s believed the department of justice introduced a revised safety strategy last month to involve new tactical options, barrier control assurances and body scanning technology for high-risk prisoners.
A spokeswoman called violence against staff “completely unacceptable”.
“Those found guilty of injuring a prison officer face significant consequences, including extra jail time,” she said.
The recent spate of attacks against corrections officers follows the alleged stabbing of an inmate inside Loddon Prison on Monday.
Sources told this masthead the attack was carried out by another criminal inside the jail, near Castlemaine, resulting in a 36-year-old being flown to hospital.
Victoria Police are investigating.
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Originally published as Comanchero bikie Richard Ene alleged guard bashings spark security talks at Barwon Prison
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