Overcrowded and understaffed: Prison officers warn of more 'incidents'
WA's prison officers' union warns the state's prison system is overcrowded, understaffed and risks "further incidents" unless the state government boosts staffing levels.
The union's blunt comments come after the escape of ten inmates from Greenough Regional Prison on Tuesday afternoon.
All but one of the prisoners is now back in custody after an extensive manhunt was triggered with prison officers assisting the Regional Operations Group, Tactical Response Group and Canine Section.
While alarmed, WAPOU Acting Secretary Paul Ledingham said the union was not surprised the prison break occurred.
“When staffing levels are low prisoners are locked up in cells for longer, with reduced access to programs and prison industry work. This creates frustration and eventually leads to serious incidents," he said.
“Most WA prisons are in a powder-keg situation ready to explode; it is a system that is under immense pressure of overcrowding and understaffing. In 2013 WA’s prison population sat around 5000. Today we are rapidly approaching 7000 with no sign of slowing down."
The union claims the facility has been running "overcrowded and understaffed for the best part of the year" and wants the state government to meet agreed staffing levels there and at other facilities across WA.
“Government budget restraints should not impact frontline services in prisons. When limited funding influences staffing levels it puts the lives of prison officers and the community at risk, and this riot is a prime example of this. The damage bill and human cost of this riot far outweighs any savings made by staffing prisons below agreed levels.
“Regional facilities including Greenough Regional Prison are among the worst affected, recruitment is an enormous problem, there is a lack of incentive for prison officers in Perth to relocate to regional facilities such as Greenough."
Premier Mark McGowan told Gareth Parker on 6PR's Morning Show the prisoners escaped after lighting a fire inside the facility and scaling a perimeter fence with a ladder.
The Premier said he absolutely backed Corrective Services Minister Fran Logan and Corrective Services Commissioner Tony Hassall.
"Corrective service is the sort of portfolio that often has a range of issues, whichever state you're in and wherever you are, because we're dealing with some of the worst people in society and their aim is often to cause disruption and pain to those around them," Mr McGowan said.
"Dealing with them is a difficult job on behalf of prison officers and a difficult job for any minister."
- with Nathan Hondros and Phil Hickey