Prisoner throws bucket of faeces over guards at Melbourne prison

Multiple staff members at a maximum-security prison in Melbourne have been hit in the eyes and mouths in a horror ambush.

The incident happened at the maximum security Metropolitan Remand Centre. Picture: AAP

Officers have been forced off work after being attacked with faeces at a major Melbourne prison.

The Herald Sun has been told the five were at a workstation in the Attwood unit of maximum security Metropolitan Remand Centre when a prisoner approached them.

He then threw a small bucket of faeces over them.

The staff were hit in the eyes and mouths and went home after the distressing ambush.

A spokesman for the Community and Public Sector Union, which represents prison staff, said safety at workstations was already an issue at MRC.

He said the Department of Justice and Community Safety was the subject of action over an identical occupational health and safety breach.

“They’re choosing to fight that breach and waste scarce public resources and compromise officer safety and the integrity of its own internal agencies than fix the problem,” the spokesman said.

A provisional improvement notice was placed on the jail after an officer was injured in a stabbing at MRC’s Ballan unit workstation in July.

The PIN was imposed on the basis that inmates were able to get to staff by jumping or scaling the counter.

DJCS has sought a review of the notice.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesman said: “there was an incident at Metropolitan Remand Centre and four staff members went home.

“Corrections Victoria is dedicated to the safety and security of all its staff and prisoners.

“We take any assault very seriously and refer all allegations of criminal activity and serious incidents to Victoria Police for investigation.’’

The Herald Sun revealed earlier this year that a former officer at the Ravenhall Correctional Centre in Melbourne’s west had won a court settlement after a bucket of faeces urine and spit was poured over her.

The career of Amy Young was ruined by the incident and she said she still suffered mental health issues as a result of the attack in 2020.