Higher than guards and teachers: The pay rise prisoners received in last year revealed

Victorian prisoners have been granted a higher percentage pay rise in the past year than some of the state’s hardest workers, and also get paid for sickies.

A pay rise was granted to even some of the state’s most evil criminals housed at maximum security Port Phillip Prison. Picture: Supplied

Victorian prisoners have been granted a higher percentage pay rise in the past year than some of the state’s health and aged care workers, teachers and even the guards who keep them locked up.

Thousands of inmates behind bars across the state’s jails were given a four per cent wage rise on January 4, it can be revealed.

The pay bump, granted to even some of the state’s most evil criminals housed at maximum security Port Phillip prison, comes as taxpayers battle an ongoing cost of living crisis.

At least 1400 prisoners, classified on a ‘level one’ salary, will receive an annual wage of $2444, up $117 per year — their first increase since April 28, 2015.

Inmate pay packets are well below the weekly $812.60 minimum wage, but prisoners do not have day-to-day living expenses such as rent, electricity, rates or transport.

Income is used for discretionary items such as snacks, nicotine, phone calls as well as saving for their departure from custody.

Prison inmates have not only received a pay rise, they are granted sick leave payments if they can’t work due to illness.

Since June 1, 2022, Victorian prison guards have been granted a 2.5 per cent pay increase.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokeswoman said: “Comparing prisoner pay rate increases to those of teachers, prison officers and healthcare workers is misleading. To assert prisoners have received a higher pay increase than those professions over the same time period is wrong.”

They added: “Providing prisoners with the opportunity to work and earn money allows them to purchase basic canteen items, such as toiletries and telephone credit. Teaching prisoners to save and budget also helps provide them with skills for rehabilitation and reintegration into the community which ultimately helps enhance community safety for all Victorians.”

Brett Collins, co-ordinator of prisoner advocacy organisation Justice Action, said it was only fair wages increased.

“It is great the needs for fairness to cover costs is recognised in Victoria,” Mr Collins said.

“It encourages prisoners to get back into the workforce and be paid for their efforts.”

It can also be revealed more than $370,000 a year is being spent on Victorian prisoners who qualify for sick leave.

Prisoners who prove they are physically or mentally ill for more than four weeks qualify for the weekly $30.00 payment.

As of June 30, 2022, 51 men and women in public jails, including maximum security Barwon Prison, met “long term illness” qualifications.

Barwon Prison inmates are among those who qualify for “long term illness” payments. Source: Google maps

On the same date there were 112 prisoners at Ravenhall, 70 at Port Phillip and 10 at Fulham correctional centre receiving the payment.

Victims of crime advocate John Herron said it was “again a case of inmates running the house”.

“Over the past few years, inmates have already been rewarded with sentencing discounts in lieu of Covid,” Mr Herron said.

“They are reducing time for the incarcerated who are now rewarded for their horrific crimes with a pay increase.

“This is on top of an already lenient justice system.”

Shadow Corrections Minister Brad Battin said: “The government have their priorities totally wrong when they gift prisoners who are already getting free care, three meals a day and medical support, a four per cent pay rise.”

He added: “The government needs to explain why inmates are receiving hundreds of thousands in sick payments while Victoria continues to run one of the lowest funded public health systems in the nation.”