NSW prison guards to strike as colleague risks being charged with murder over 2019 inmate shooting

Prison officers will walk off the job for 24 hours after being told one of their colleagues could be charged with murder over a 2019 shooting.

NSW prison guards will strike for 24 hours after a union was told one of their colleagues could face a murder charge over the death of an Aboriginal man.

The potential charge relates to a 2019 shooting of an inmate at Lismore Base Hospital.

The alleged shooting killed a 43-year-old Wiradjuri man who had been denied bail over assault charges and taken to hospital for treatment for an apparent epileptic seizure in a jail cell.

At the hospital, the man apparently attempted to escape.

He was handcuffed and shackled when he was allegedly struck by a single gunshot wound to the back.

Stewart Little, third from left, said officers would strike. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said the charge of murder would be “appropriate”.

“All the available evidence in this matter, including newly subpoenaed material, has been reviewed in preparation for the upcoming trial, and the Director has determined that the appropriate charge is one of murder,” a spokesperson said.

It’s understood the ODPP will seek leave with the Supreme Court to change the charge to one of murder.

The officer, whose identity is suppressed and who is known as Officer A, was initially charged with manslaughter and pleaded not guilty.

Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little said the strike would begin at 6am on Friday.

“Our union stands with this officer and we will defend this officer,” Mr Little said.

The strike will cause delays at courts and mean prisoners will be largely confined to their cells.

It’s expected thousands of officers will walk off the job, leaving a small cadre of senior colleagues in charge at the state’s public corrective centres.

Mr Little said the murder charge would lead to confusion as to when officers were allowed to use their firearms.

“Obviously, the events have led us now to bring into question how we will use those weapons and how those weapons will be deployed,” Mr Little said.

“The government needs to absolutely come out and support the very difficult and dangerous work that they do.”

The union will pay for the accused officer’s legal fees.