Prisoner and visitor attack prison staff

A PRISONER and a visitor at Port Phillip Prison have attacked six staff in a violent brawl at the maximum security facility.

A prisoner and a visitor has attacked staff at Port Phillip Prison. Picture: Shark Island Productions

A PRISONER and a visitor at Port Phillip Prison have attacked six staff in a violent brawl at the maximum security facility.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the melee at the jail in Truganina about 11.30am.

The Herald Sun understands the fight broke out after prison officers abruptly ended the prisoner’s visit with his mate.

The prison has gone into lockdown.

In a statement, Ambulance Victoria said it had treated eight people following the fight.

“A number of ambulances were called to the prison. Six of the eight people have been taken to various hospitals. All are in a stable condition,” it said.

The inmate and his visitor suffered minor injuries but were not taken to hospital.

Corrections Victoria would not comment on the incident, referring all inquiries to Victoria Police.

Police spokesman Alistair Parsons said police were called to the prison following reports a number of staff had been injured.

He said six staff, males and females, were assaulted by the male prisoner and his male visitor.

“The exact cause of the brawl is unknown,” Mr Parsons said. “Police are investigating.”

It is the second clash at the prison in a matter of days with eight inmates, among them members of the Comanchero and Bandido motorcycle gangs, going head to head in the prison’s gymnasium on Wednesday.

Two prisoners had to be taken to hospital with stab wounds following the altercation.

Opposition police spokesman Ed O’Donoghue told the Herald Sun the latest prison incident was further evidence of the “lack of control” under the Andrews Government.

“We are seeing more chaos and violence in the Victorian prison system coming off the back of a serious incident at the same prison earlier in the week,” Mr O’Donoghue said.

“It’s further evidence of the lawlessness and lack of control under Premier Daniel Andrews and his fourth corrections minister.”

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