Inmates scale roof of Port Phillip maximum security prison
Prisoners have scaled the roof of Port Phillip Prison, just days after a prison officer was stabbed 11 times inside the maximum security jail.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A group of prisoners scaled the roof of Port Phillip Prison on Thursday afternoon.
The major security breach happened about 3pm today at Victoria’s largest maximum security prison.
A Justice Department spokesman said the incident was safely resolved shortly before 6pm.
“The prisoners did not breach the outside perimeter, and all appropriate processes were enacted.
“An investigation is now underway.
There was no risk to public safety.
A state government spokesman said the incident was completely unacceptable.
“Private prison operators are responsible for the safe and secure operation of their facilities.
An investigation is now underway and it would be inappropriate to comment further,” the spokesman said.
Police responding to the incident were in a standoff with three inmates who were on the roof.
It comes two days after a Port Phillip prison officer was stabbed 11 times.
David Southwick, the shadow minister for corrections, called for a full investigation into the management of Port Phillip Prison.
“It’s a disgrace that prisoners are allowed to run amok in Victoria’s largest maximum-security prison,” he said.
“This security breach follows the serious stabbing assault of a guard yesterday and the potential radicalisation of serious offenders by terror inmates.
“It’s clear Victoria’s largest max security prison is in chaos and Daniel Andrews needs to order a full investigation into these incidents and the management of this facility.
“We can’t allow our largest max security prison, home to Victoria’s most dangerous criminals, to become the Wild West and Daniel Andrews must act.”