Prison officer allegedly bashed at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre

A man has been charged after a prison officer’s nose was allegedly broken in a violent assault at a Central Victorian youth justice centre.

The Community and Public Sector Union confirmed the male worker was assaulted on Monday June 7 at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, 60km south of Bendigo. Picture: Rob Leeson.

A prison worker has been allegedly attacked by a young inmate in a violent assault in a Central Victorian youth justice centre.

The Community and Public Sector Union said the incident happened on Monday June 7 at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, 60km south of Bendigo.

“The unit officer told a kid to stop writing on a window and was punched in the face,” a CPSU spokesman said.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said emergency services were called to the Mollison St prison at 7.30pm.

She said the staff member was transported to hospital with serious injuries.

Police charged an 18-year-old with assaulting an emergency worker on duty, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, assault with a weapon and unlawful assault.

He will appear at court at a later date.

A Youth Justice worker said the man was allegedly attacked with a roll-on deodorant bottle, leaving him with a broken nose and two broken eye sockets.

“(He) will require surgery to his face once swelling has reduced,” Vicki Wilkinson posted on Twitter.

“Staff are concerned for safety as the centre is extremely unsettled at the moment.”

Malmsbury YJ Centre. Male staff member assaulted with roll on deodorant bottle broken nose and 2 broken eye sockets on Monday. Will require surgery to face once swelling has reduced.Staff are concerned for safety as centre is extremely unsettled at the moment.

— Vicki Wilkinson (@VickiWi64354623) June 9, 2021

The union said this was not an isolated incident, with an incident in March leaving a young man in a serious condition following a jailhouse assault.

“There hasn’t been an incident for a few months at Malmsbury but more unit staff and response teams would assist boosting staff presence in these units,” the CPSU spokesman said.

Youth Justice and Ambulance Victoria have been contacted for comment.