Dozens of podiatry blades missing inside Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre have workers worried
Workers already weary of violence at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre fear inmates have stockpiled stolen medical blades to use as weapons in the latest security threat at the centre.
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Dozens of medical blades capable of being used as jailhouse shivs are missing inside a troubled Victorian youth prison.
Up to 100 podiatry scalpels recently brought into the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre by a health team vanished.
Some were later recovered from a hiding spot behind machinery after inmates were seen acting suspiciously.
But dozens of the potentially dangerous devices were unaccounted for, most likely stashed away by youths.
The Herald Sun has been told staff, already alarmed at the level of violence at the central Victorian facility, are deeply concerned over the issue.
Juvenile justice sources said Malmsbury should have been locked down and every cell searched for the remaining scalpels.
Staff were first made aware of the theft in early June and the stolen scalpels have gradually been found.
It’s understood an inmate stole the packet of scalpels during an appointment with a podiatrist.
Staff are particularly worried of the dangers of youths stockpiling multiple blades after a history of security incidents at the centre.
In March, the centre was locked down when inmates, allegedly armed with shivs, wreaked havoc.
The incident resulted in five staff members and one young person assessed for minor injuries.
A mass breakout in January 2017 involved inmates going on the run and committing a wave of crimes.
Some of those offenders are believed to be still at Malmsbury.
Also at the complex are armed robbers, carjackers and youths detained over violent home invasions.
The Community and Public Sector Union has raised its concerns to the Department of Justice and Community Safety about the missing scalpels.
Union spokesman Julian Kennelly said such a “serious bungle” should not have been allowed to happen.
“We’ve made our views strongly to the department about the slackness of the private health provider,” he said.
“These young offenders are creative enough to manufacture anything into a shiv, they don’t need the assistance of someone who’s on the department’s payroll.”
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A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokeswoman said staff were “responding to intelligence gathered on Friday (June 28) regarding the possession of prohibited items by a young person”.
“The Department of Justice and Community Safety will investigate the incident thoroughly,” she said.
“The safety of staff, young people and the community is of the utmost importance. The department has stringent security processes in place to maintain the safety and security of youth justice centres.”
Opposition youth justice spokesman Brad Battin said the government must act when “razors are missing and staff are at risk.”