Easing prison handcuff laws poses more risks to staff, says union

Changes to the use of handcuffs inside jails aimed at improving inmates’ health has been slammed by the prison guard union, expressing fears for staff safety.

Jail officers will have to give greater consider prisoners’ human rights before putting them in handcuffs under new rules.

Their union fears tighter restrictions on the use of cuffs will make staff more vulnerable to attack and compromise security in jails.

The changes will implement risk assessment regulations and direct staff to consider the impact on detainees of use of restraints.

Those measures involve a range of rules aimed at giving greater consideration to prisoners’ human rights while maintaining good order and staff safety, according to a Department of Justice and Community Safety email.

But the Community and Public Sector Union, which represents prison officers, says the changes will inevitably mean staff feel less able to use restraints on prisoners.

The changes are contained in a Corrections Commissioner requirement on the “application of instruments” and aim to put the organisation in line with Human Rights Charter of Rights and Responsibilities legislation.

A summary of what is contained in those orders was outlined in a DJCS email seen by the Herald Sun.

Jail officers will have to give greater consider prisoners’ human rights before putting them in handcuffs under new rules. Picture: Mark Stewart

It states that the changes required will include

A RISK assessment posed by the prisoner and the “least restrictive means that would mitigate the risk”.

AN assessment of the expected effect on the prisoner’s physical and mental health.

SPECIFIC risk thresholds which need to be “demonstrably” reached before an inmate is put on the handcuff regime.

A BAN on automatic use of cuffs in management, high security, mental health and closed supervision units.

A spokesman for the CPSU said the human rights of staff not to be hurt at work should be the number one consideration.

The spokesman said staff felt the changes would do nothing for correctional system security or staff safety.

“There is an equal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their staff. They feel going to work will be less safe,” the spokesman said.

An officer at Barwon Prison, near Geelong, was injured last week in a bashing.

Police are believed to be investigating whether former top boxer Jamie Bogovic carried out that attack.

Two inmates were stabbed on Wednesday after a fight broke out at Barwon on Wednesday.

A DJCS spokesperson said Corrections Victoria maintained the highest standards of security and that staff safety was always be top priority.

The spokesperson said any act of violence against staff was referred to Victoria Police.

“There are a range of policies and processes in place to ensure the safety and security of staff, while balancing our duty of care to the people in our custody,” the spokesperson said.