Yatala Labour Prison locked down on Saturday after inmates rioted

Inmates ripped sinks and metal sheets off walls and threw rubbish during a riot at Yatala Labour Prison – and the guards’ union warns there’s more unrest on its way.

Inmates at Yatala Labour Prison damaged cells during a riot over the weekend sparking calls for more prison guards.

A dire staff shortage due to Covid isolation requirements forced the prison into lockdown on Saturday, a Department of Correctional Services (DCS) spokeswoman said.

During lunch, an undisclosed number of prisoners caused damage to a cell in one wing.

A prison sink ripped from a wall at Yatala. Picture: 9 NEWS

Prison property was damaged. Picture: 9 NEWS

Sinks were ripped from walls and metal sheeting was ripped from walls, according to 9 NEWS.

There were no injuries to staff or prisoners and the offending inmates were separated.

Natasha Brown, from the Public Service Association representing prison guards said something must be done or the weekend’s event will spark more unrest among cellmates.

“Due to a lack of staffing, unfortunately lockdowns which previously were rare occurrences are becoming more and more common and unless the understaffing issue is addressed we're going to see more lockdowns and more prisoner disturbances as a result,” Ms Brown said.

A DCS statement said the inmates were “appropriately dealt with”.

Floors were littered with rubbish. Picture: 9 NEWS

Tensions boiled over at Yatala Prison. Picture: 9 NEWS

“There was no threat to the good order and security of the prison,” the statement read.

“The behaviour was appropriately dealt with by staff.”

Police Minister Joe Szakacs said since the Easter long weekend, 114 staff across all sites have been quarantined accordingly.

“In situations such as this, the operational routine of the prison is modified so the safety and security of the site is not compromised,” Mr Szakacs said.

“I know the community expects, as I do, that any potential criminal charges arising from prisoner actions will be vigorously pursued.”

Liberal corrections spokesman Tim Whetstone echoed calls from the Public Service Association (PSA) for an immediate review of the incident.

“It is shocking to hear the PSA say lockdowns are becoming more common because understaffing in South Australian prisons is not being addressed,” he said.

“Labor’s Corrections Minister Joe Szakacs must act immediately and commit to boosting resources in our prisons to keep guards and inmates safe at all times,” Mr Whetstone said.

Last April, the state government created new offences to specifically deal with unruly prisoners, while other laws were introduced to crack down on drug smugglers and locked-up offenders sending letters to their victims.

The maximum penalty for prisoners who damage jail property and endanger the facility, which is a new offence, is 15 years.

Originally published as Yatala Labour Prison locked down on Saturday after inmates rioted