Barwon guards carried unlawful weapons after shocking bureaucratic failure

EXCLUSIVE: GUARDS in the state’s highest security prison unit have been stripped of their batons because of a shocking bureaucratic failure.

New super maximum prison to be opened in Barwon. Tour through cells secrurtiy etc before inmates brought in. Picture: Tony Gough

GUARDS in the state’s highest security prison unit have been stripped of their batons because of a shocking bureaucratic failure.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal prison officers in a new Barwon Prison unit — which houses gang members, bikies and underworld figures — have been unlawfully carrying extendable batons since it was opened last year.

The administrative error was discovered this week and guards in the Olearia unit were instead given older, non-retractable batons.

Prison insiders fear the older batons can be taken off guards more easily by inmates and used against them.

Authorities are now frantically working to close the loophole to allow guards to legally carry the extendable batons.

Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney said the bungle was “extremely disappointing” but that no staff were injured as a result.

Victorian Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney.

“I am pleased that as soon as the issue was identified, immediate steps were taken to ensure staff who have access to long batons can also carry extendable batons as soon as possible,” she said.

Opposition corrections spokesman Edward O’Donohue accused the Andrews Government of putting the safety of guards in jeopardy.

“The negligence and incompetence of Daniel Andrews is now putting at risk hardworking prison officers at the new maximum security unit at Barwon Prison,” Mr O’Donohue said.

“From A to Z the justice system is in crisis.”

A Corrections Victoria spokesman said specialist emergency response staff who had the right authorisation to carry extendable batons had always been rostered in the 40-bed unit.

“All other Olearia staff are able to carry long batons,” he said.

“Steps are now being taken to ensure staff who have access to long batons can also carry extendable batons as soon as possible.”

Barwon Prison’s Olearia unit. Picture: Tony Gough

It is understood a departmental oversight meant a Governor in Council exemption under the Control of Weapons Act 1990 was not sought to allow prison officers to carry the extendable batons in the new $35 million unit.

They carried them anyway until this week when the mistake was uncovered.

Community and Public Sector Union spokesman Julian Kennelly said he looked forward to the situation being resolved.

“This is what happens when you cut all your policy and planning staff,” he said.

The Sunday Herald Sun has been told there is no evidence the extendable batons were used in incidents in the Olearia unit by anyone without the appropriate authority.

When the unit opened in August, then Corrections Minister Steve Herbert said it would hold gang members and prisoners with extremely violent histories who “simply can’t mix with other prisoners”.

Mr Herbert, who has since resigned for having his dogs chauffeured by his taxpayer-funded driver, said the government was making sure the corrections system “provides a safe environment for staff and prisoners”.

A government press release said the Olearia unit would “accommodate prisoners who pose the greatest security and safety risk” and included “the most technologically advanced security systems”.

It said 42 prison staff would be permanently employed by the new unit to provide around-the-clock security and supervision.

A Corrections Victoria spokesman said yesterday (Sat) there were “strong measures in place to ensure the safety and security of the Olearia Unit”.

He said the specialist Security and Emergency Services Group was also always on site at Barwon, with dogs and other equipment to respond to emergencies.

Funding for the Olearia unit was given in 2014 by the former Napthine Government.

It followed the 2010 murder of gangland figure Carl Williams in a Barwon maximum security unit by fellow inmate Matthew Johnson, who was armed with part of an exercise bike.

Twitter: @tminear