Prison guard wives tell of families’ toll

THE wives of prison workers say they have lost their husbands to a system in which their partners have received multiple threats and assaults.

Tara Devine and Aileen Britten, the wives of two prison officers now on workers compensation leave, said their lives had been impacted by multiple work-related incidents resulting in post-traumatic stress for their partners.

Mrs Britten said her husband had endured numerous assaults over his 15-year tenure at Risdon Prison and he had been left “housebound” with anxiety.

Mrs Devine said her family had moved homes following threats from prisoners and damage caused to their house.

“My husband isn’t anywhere like he used to be,” Mrs Devine said.

“We have three daughters and they just want their dad back. I want my husband back.

“There needs to be more support for staff and follow-up work done ensuring staff are OK.

“My husband will come home after a long day and I’ll ask ‘was it prisoners or officers today?’ (causing stress). The answer is often management.” Prison incident reports seen by the Mercury show a total of 10 assaults recorded in Tasmanian prisons between Christmas and the New Year.

They include three “Code Black” assaults on Christmas Day — one where a prisoner attacked three others — an attempted assault on a prison officer, and an assault on a prison officer that resulted in injuries and a report to police.

Speaking on National Corrections Day yesterday, United Workers Union spokeswoman Janette Armstrong said the Government had failed correctional officers and lied to the public about the difficulties officers faced with insufficient staff and resources.

“[Corrections Minister] Elise Archer should apologise for misleading the community and disrespecting workers with her denial of incidents over the holiday period, and for the chronic understaffing and workplace health and safety issues,” Ms Armstrong said.

“Minister Archer should increase support, wages and staffing levels immediately.”

Ms Archer yesterday said she was “highly appreciative” of the work of staff within the corrections system.

A Government spokesman said the Government and Justice Department had taken a range of steps to address issues.

“This includes recruitment of 119 new correctional officers since May 2016 with a further 38 recruits beginning training next week,” the spokesman said.

“In recent months, additional staff have been assigned to the prison service’s Work Health and Safety Unit, allowing the department to respond more quickly to support staff following incidents.

“In addition to the Employee Assistance Program, the prison service has a network of officers who have received training and are available to support fellow staff following incidents.”