Spate of assaults on staff at Barwon Prison as inmates become ‘more and more hostile’

Guards were attacked and prisoners stabbed with shivs in the second incident of violence in Victorian prisons this week.

Barwon Prison officers have been left injured in a spate of attacks. Picture: Mark Stewart. generic

Inmates at medium security Loddon Prison reportedly attacked a fellow prisoner with a shiv and punched an officer in the face amid a spate of violent incidents in Victorian jails.

The Herald Sun understands that the prison, located in central Victoria, has remained in lockdown this week as short-staffed officers struggle to control inmates.

While one inmate punched one officer in the face, other prisoners could also be heard chanting: “Kill the screws, kill the screws” – a slang term used to describe prison officers.

An inmate allegedly threatened another inmate with a shiv in a separate attack.

The incidents at Loddon come just days after eight staff were injured in a three-day period between last Saturday and Monday at maximum security Barwon Prison.

WorkSafe officials are expected to visit the jail, near Geelong, after a wave of officer bashings in the past week.

The violence unfolded at Loddon Prison in the state's north.

The workplace safety watchdog has been alerted to the violence and allegations that staff shortages have played a part in the attacks.

The union representing prison staff says those shortages have led to increased lockdowns and frayed tempers among detainees.

A WorkSafe spokeswoman said: “WorkSafe inspectors are assessing the matter to determine whether further action is required.”

The Loddon Prison Precinct includes Middleton, a medium security men’s prison that opened in July 2014.

Unlike Barwon, which houses some of the most dangerous criminals in the state, Loddon is made up of cottage-style units where inmates are responsible for cooking their own meals.

In response to queries about the incidents at Loddon Prison, the Department of Justice and Community Safety issued a similar statement to that regarding the violence at Barwon Prison.

It said: “The safety and wellbeing of staff is our top priority – any act of violence against our hardworking corrections workers is treated seriously and referred to police”.

“Corrections workers are supported with training on tactical options and de-escalation techniques, specialist units that undertake careful analysis of risks and intelligence, and ongoing assessment and placement of prisoners.”

Officers can receive on-site counselling if needed.

Following legislation changes in 2018, prisoners receive a minimum six-month custodial sentence for assaulting an officer.

Max security prisoners lash out

A wave of assaults at maximum security Barwon Prison has left eight officers injured.

Some of the victims wound up in hospital after a series of incidents in recent days at the jail, which houses the toughest inmates in the state.

Sources say friction is being caused by increasing lockdowns of inmates.

Four officers were injured on Monday after violence broke out in the Grevillea unit of the jail, near Geelong.

They were left with, among other things, a split head, suspected concussion and knee injury.

On Saturday, an officer was treated after being punched in the face and another was attacked by an inmate who had just been taken off a handcuff regimen.

There has been a series of incidents at Barwon Prison in recent days. Picture: Peter Ristevski

There were two other assaults on staff that day.

One staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Herald Sun that staff shortages were leading to lockdowns which, in turn, generated prisoner resentment.

“Day staff are being pressured to work double shifts every day. The prison is rarely fully staffed, units are being left unmanned or skeleton staff,” the source said.

Community and Public Sector Union spokesman Julian Kennelly described the situation as “grim”.

“They’re becoming more and more hostile because of the extended cell hours. More and more cell hours leads to extra angst,” he said.

Mr Kennelly said difficulties in attracting people into corrections amid a nationwide labour shortage was a major factor in the shortage.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety statement said the safety of staff was the organisation’s top priority and any violence against corrections workers was taken seriously and referred to police.

“Corrections workers are supported with training on tactical options and de-escalation techniques, specialist units that undertake careful analysis of risks and intelligence, and ongoing assessment and placement of prisoners,” the statement said.

It went on to say the State Government had introduced laws to ensure corrections workers had the same protections as emergency services workers and that any detainee who injured staff faced significant punishment, including extra time in prison.