Carbon monoxide poisoning scare at Barwon Prison
High-risk inmates inside Barwon Prison have been relocated due to a suspected carbon monoxide leak with the facility in lockdown.
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High-risk inmates inside Barwon Prison have been moved to other jails due to a suspected carbon monoxide leak.
Specialist fire crews and paramedics have been called to the high-security men’s prison at least three times in recent weeks with some staff experiencing light-headedness and itchy eyes.
The latest incident on Monday night saw 12 prison staff assessed by paramedics, but none were taken to hospital.
All staff and prisoners have been evacuated from the Olearia unit, with several inmates relocated to nearby Western Plains Correctional Centre, Melbourne Assessment Prison or the Metropolitan Remand Centre.
The prison remains in lockdown.
A justice department spokeswoman said it was conducting further investigations into detections of carbon monoxide and dioxide at the prison.
“As a precaution, temporary prisoner arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety of staff and prisoners,” she said.
“Corrections Victoria is continuing to monitor the situation and is investigating the cause of any potential leak.”
Olearia is a 40-bed high-security unit which opened in 2016.
It accommodates those who pose the greatest safety risk or need to be separated from the mainstream prison population for their own protection.
Twelve unwell after carbon monoxide scare at Barwon Prison
Airconditioning systems and batteries inside Barwon Prison are being investigated after three separate incidents involving a suspected carbon monoxide leak in recent weeks.
Specialist fire crews and paramedics were again called to the maximum security men’s prison in Lara about 7.30pm on Monday after multiple triple-0 calls about air quality issues.
An FRV spokesman confirmed low levels of carbon monoxide were detected.
Twelve patients were assessed by paramedics but none were taken to hospital.
Earlier on March 29, staff in the control room identified a strange smell and evacuated the area.
Fire crews were not able to locate the suspected leak but ventilated the area.
It’s believed batteries inside the fire panels could have been the source and they were replaced.
Emergency services were again called to the prison days later on April 3 after reports staff were experiencing respiratory issues and itchy eyes.
The area was evacuated and three prison officers were taken to hospital as a precaution in a stable condition but were later released.
No positive readings of carbon monoxide were detected.
It’s understood the suspected leakage is inside the Olearia Unit, which is home to high-risk prisoners.
A Community and Public Sector Union spokesman said the assistant commissioner attended the prison on Monday.
Further monitoring was conducted using handheld devices but there was no detection of carbon monoxide.
“They are investigating all airconditioning, fan and ventilation systems but they all appear to be operating normally,” he said.
Further checks on air quality and all batteries inside the prison are expected to be completed.
Work Safe will attend the prison later this week.
The department was contacted for comment.
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