Jail unrest triggers violence warning

Traditionally this is what happens in prison environments if you don’t take action TOM LYNCH

SEVERE overcrowding and staff shortages at Risdon Prison have resulted in lockdowns and contributed to a doctor being assaulted at the weekend, the public sector union says.

Community and Public Sector Union chief Tom Lynch said his members were concerned about the risk of further violence at the prison — where 122 prisoners were shoehorned into a maximum security facility designed for 84.

But the State Government has defended its record, saying it is unapologetic for being tough on crime and proclaiming “prison is not a holiday”.

The union and the state opposition yesterday condemned the Government for not planning for increased prisoner numbers caused by a crackdown on crime or for the effect of seasonal illness on prison staff

Ten prison staff out of 63 were absent on Saturday, and 11 on Sunday, prompting a lockdown, which meant many prisoners missed out on Father’s Day phone calls.

And a prisoner who was escorted by too few guards allegedly assaulted a doctor at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Mr Lynch said.

“Traditionally, this is what happens in prison environments if you don’t take action. The pressure builds and builds until it breaks out,” he said. “There is intelligence over there that there is discussion among inmates about hostage situations. This always happens when the pressure escalates.

“Invariably, when it breaks out, it sees my members getting injured or worse. We’re saying to the minister, all the signs are there. We have seen it before around the country and around the world. You need to take action.”

But Acting Corrections Minister Guy Barnett blamed sick leave for the staff shortfall.

“I am advised that the TPS, like a number of other workplaces around the state, is currently experiencing larger than normal sick leave volumes, which was a major contributor to Risdon Prison being in lockdown yesterday,” he said.

“While this is not ideal, prison is not a holiday, and the TPS need to make decisions that ensure the operations of the prison runs as smoothly and safely as possible for all concerned.”

He said the Government had increased staff levels in the prison service since taking office and increased the prison budget.

“It is blatantly false of the union to suggest we are not employing more staff given the significant additional numbers of staff that have been added and continue to be added by the Hodgman Liberal Government.”

Tasmania Police confirmed they were investigating an incident at the hospital on Saturday.

“Bellerive CIB is investigating a complaint from a woman who alleges an assault by an inmate,” a police spokeswoman said.

“The woman was allegedly assaulted and threaten-

ed while the prisoner was receiving medical treatment on Saturday.”

Labor corrections spokeswoman Lara Giddings said the weekend’s events showed the state’s prison system was in crisis.

“What is obvious now is that this minister has failed to plan for what happens every year with the flu season. We see it in our hospitals, we see it in our prisons. Staff go down, there are pressures on our staff. He wasn’t prepared for it,” she said.

Unrest in the medium security section of Risdon Prison last month was blamed on a shortage of nicotine replacement patches.

Smoking at the jail was banned in 2015.