Prison union wants attack penalties lift

THE state’s prison union wants harsher penalties for inmates who attack officers, to bring laws in line with assaults on police and paramedics.

Under legislation the maximum penalty for assaulting a prison officer on duty is seven years imprisonment, just half of what it is for assaulting other public officers such as police and health workers.

A petition is currently before the parliament calling for a 14-year jail sentence: the same as it is for attacks on police.

Townsville Together Union representative Barry Jacobsen said it would be a positive move as prison officers dealt with much of the same behaviour, but behind closed doors.

“There needs to be a deterrent; we’re sick of seeing assaults on the officers,” he said. “We try to do our job in the safest manner possible but sometimes it doesn’t matter what you do, we are assaulted.

“It’s a bit like the police and paramedics; these guys do a fantastic job but a lot of our job is hidden behind doors … and what we’re exposed to is often quite similar.”

Mr Jacobsen said there hadn’t been many assaults on Townsville officers, and more were being experienced at other centres across the state.

Last week, union delegates demanded top-level talks after further alleged violent assaults by inmates on guards.

In a letter to Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Martin, the Together Union warned “enough is enough” and accused the department of failing to provide a safe workplace.

“Prison guards are not punching bags,’’ Together Union’s Michael Thomas, director of industrial services, said last week.

“They shouldn’t have to worry every time they go to work that they might come home via the hospital emergency ward.’’

In response to the petition, Police Minister Mark Ryan said the safety of Corrections officers was of paramount importance.

“The Government will always consider measures that are supportive of officer safety,” he said.

“Assaults on officers are unacceptable.

“The Government will always give consideration to penalties that reflect the value we place on Corrections staff.”

The petition has already been signed by more than 1000 people. Corrections totally