Department of Justice annual report reveals surge in prison assaults

CONCERNS about poor management and overcrowding in the state’s prison system have returned to the spotlight after it was revealed prison assaults have skyrocketed by 60 per cent.

Assaults by inmates at Risdon Prison have surged in the past year.

CONCERNS about poor management and overcrowding in the state’s prison system have returned to the spotlight after it was revealed prison assaults have skyrocketed by 60 per cent.

The Department of Justice annual report released on Thursday showed there were 79 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults in 2017-18, up 88 per cent on the previous year.

But serious prisoner-on-prisoner assaults decreased by 56 per cent in the same period.

A “serious assault” is defined as one requiring overnight hospitalisation, ongoing treatment or any sexual assault.

There were 20 prisoner-on-staff assaults, two of which were considered serious. Five Risdon Prison staff were taken to hospital in June after they were attacked in the maximum security section.

FOUR INMATES CHARGED AFTER GUARDS INJURED

Prisoners Legal Service chair Greg Barns said he had warned the State Government that “inhumane, overcrowded conditions” would lead to violence.

“A lack of rehabilitation and health care leads to greater episodes of violence,” he said.

Corrections Minister Elise Archer said 78 extra prison officers had been hired since May 2016.

“Any violence against staff is unacceptable and we will continue to work towards reducing all incidents within the Tasmanian prison system,” she said.

There were no deaths in custody due to apparent unnatural causes in 2017-18.