Victorian prison guards attacked, sexually assaulted by the state’s most dangerous criminals

Victorian prison guards are being attacked, sexually assaulted, and even hospitalised by the state’s most dangerous criminals in alarming numbers, damning new data reveals.

Victorian prison guards are being attacked, sexually assaulted, and even hospitalised by the state’s most dangerous criminals in alarming numbers, damning new data has revealed.

Leaked data obtained by the Herald Sun shows almost one prison guard is attacked each day at some of the state’s maximum security prisons.

The official Corrections Victoria data shows 442 attacks have been recorded in the last 12 months, including 10 sexual assaults on staff and six attacks so serious guards were hospitalised.

The explosive new data comes as prison officers prepare to vote on a no-confidence motion against Corrections Victoria Commissioner Larissa Strong next week.

In an email to prison staff this week the Community and Public Sector Union said there were ongoing concerns about systemic issues including:

THE Commissioner’s response to staff safety concerns, including recent serious staff assaults,

HOW staff concerns around the safe management of prisoners had been addressed and,

THE Commissioner’s continued unwillingness to meet with union delegates regarding serious safety concerns.

Prison officers will vote on a no-confidence motion against Corrections Victoria Commissioner Larissa Strong next week. Picture: Alison Wynd

Concerns had also been raised about “the ability to use handcuffs or apply reasonable force while retaining confidence in job security.”

The latest data shows 360 assaults were committed at maximum security prisons, including 69 at the women’s only Dame Phyllis Frost Centre which recorded the second highest assault rate.

The highest number of assaults were recorded at the Melbourne Assessment Prison and the Metropolitan Remand Centre.

A strong vote of no confidence in Ms Strong would heap pressure on the Allan government to seriously consider her appointment.

In February the government advised former police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton his contract would not be extended following a vote of no confidence by more than 12,000 police members.

It means there is currently no permanent Chief Commissioner, while Ambulance Victoria and Emergency Management Victoria are also without permanent leaders.

There were 69 assaults at the women’s only Dame Phyllis Frost Centre which recorded the second highest assault rate. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Shadow Corrections minister, David Southwick, said the prison system had descended into chaos.

“The working conditions in our prisons have become so bad, that the government has to offer substantial sign-on bonuses just to attract staff,” he said.

“Our prison system is in disarray, plagued by staff shortages, alarming safety issues and overcrowding. This is yet another example of the Allan Labor government’s failure to prioritise community safety.

“The buck stops at the top, the motion of no confidence should be with the Corrections Minister and the Allan Labor government who have failed to fix the mess in our prison system.

“They are completely out of their depth and Victorians are paying the price.”

Last month two maximum security prison officers were allegedly assaulted at the hands of Comanchero bikie Richard Ene in Metropolitan Remand Centre at Ravenhall.

A former youth corrections officer also won an undisclosed payout with the Department of Justice and Community Safety over incidents he endured while at Parkville Youth Justice Centre.