Prison officer tied to chair in Metropolitan Remand Centre hazing

A new prison officer was handcuffed to a chair and wrapped in Chux cloths during an apparent hazing at a maximum-security prison in ­Victoria. Insiders say the incident is part of a ‘toxic culture’ at the facility.

Inside the Metropolitan Remand Centre. Picture: Tony Gough

A new prison officer was handcuffed to a chair and wrapped in Chux cloths during an apparent hazing at a maximum-security prison in ­Victoria.

A leaked memo reveals two officers were involved in the alleged initiation captured on camera at the Metropolitan Remand Centre.

A prison whistleblower ­reported the matter to WorkSafe Victoria.

In a WorkSafe report seen by the Herald Sun, the alleged hazing was described as commonplace for prison recruits.

It reads: “WorkSafe received an anonymous service request that included a photo depicting an officer wrapped in Chux wipes from head to torso and potentially with their hands cuffed (out of the photo lens) on a chair, and another officer with their epaulet showing kneeling beside them.

The Metropolitan Remand Centre in Ravenhall.

“I advised that the photo had been provided with information stating that this is what occurs for people who apply to get in and/or are new to the Emergency Response Group team at this location. It was ­located on the lockers and this is where the person had got the photo from.”

Community and Public Sector Union state secretary Karen Batt said the union was alarmed by the reported hazing incident.

“Any practice of ‘hazing’ or ‘initiation’ is completely unacceptable,” she wrote to union staff on Tuesday.

The prison officer subject to the alleged initiation is male.

WorkSafe ordered the prison and state justice department to stamp out “workplace bullying” as a result of the alleged incident.

“WorkSafe has issued an Improvement Notice for failing to provide and maintain for employees a working environment that is safe and without risks to health through inadequate training on workplace bullying and appropriate behaviours,” the report said.

Complaints about a ‘hazing’ at the Metropolitan Remand Centre were made to WorkSafe. Picture: David Smith

A prison source told the Herald Sun the Metropolitan Remand Centre had a toxic working culture.

“It’s a bit of a boys’ club,” the insider said.

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The union and prison management are making inquiries into the matter.

The Herald Sun understands the incident occurred early this year, but WorkSafe began its inquiries only in recent days.

A Corrections Victoria spokesman said it took all allegations of workplace misconduct “extremely seriously”.

“Any staff conduct that falls short of expected standards will face appropriate disciplinary action,” the spokesman said.

“Discussions with staff and WorkSafe Victoria about this particular incident are continuing.”

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