Five prison officers injured by rampaging inmate at Metropolitan Remand Centre

Five guards have been attacked in an onslaught by a prisoner at a maximum security jail in Melbourne’s west, while colleagues who rushed to their aid were tripped by other prisoners.

Staff have been injured by a rampaging inmate at Metropolitan Remand Centre. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Five prison officers have been attacked in an inmate’s rampage at a Melbourne maximum security prison.

Several of the victims were injured in a work console at the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Ravnhall when the prisoner exploded on Sunday.

Prison sources say the man approached staff at the console aggressively and abusively, at one stage shouting, “have you got anything to say c...”.

He then jumped into the Cambridge unit console and attacked the staff inside.

The injuries occurred in the inmate’s initial onslaught and as others tried to restrain him.

They were treated by an on-site medical team and some left for the remainder of the day.

Staff were allegedly tripped and hindered by other prisoners as they tried to respond to their colleagues.

Sources told the Herald Sun there had been six reports made about his behaviour in recent weeks.

Staff were allegedly tripped and hindered by other prisoners as they tried to respond to their colleagues. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

It is believed the prisoner, described as a heavily set man, was about to be transferred to another section of the prison.

Concerns have been raised about the safety of prison work stations in the past.

Last October, a prisoner with a history of attacking staff flung a bucket of faeces over an officer in a work station in the MRC’s Attwood section.

In July last year, a former Ravenhall Correctional Centre staff member won an out-of-court settlement after faeces, urine and spit were tipped over her.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Community Safety said all allegations of criminal activity and serious incidents were referred to Victoria Police.

“Anyone responsible for injuring a corrections officer faces significant consequences, including extra time in custody. We constantly monitor the operations of all correctional facilities to identify any areas for strengthening or improvements,” the spokesman said.