WA prisons on alert for riots and escape copycats
Prison bosses have been given approval to call in any necessary overtime at WA's jails in the wake of the Greenough prison riot.
WAtoday can reveal the direction, in an e-mail, allowed such overtime until August 6 and described the measure as a "short period of relief" to manage a range of issues including "any potential copycat action" after the disturbance at Greenough on Tuesday.
Beyond that the "usual" approval - by an Assistant Commissioner of Adult Custodial Operations - with regards to overtime would apply, the e-mail said.
The 10 men who broke out of the West Australian jail during the riot, using an angle grinder and a ladder, have since been charged with escaping from custody.
They have been moved to the maximum security Hakea Prison.
A 22-year-old woman from Karloo was also charged on Friday with aiding an escapee and is due to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on August 2.
WA Prison Officers Union acting secretary Paul Ledingham said union members wanted "the permanent removal of arbitrary overtime restrictions state-wide."
“Superintendents must be instructed to staff their prisons to agreed staffing levels. Anything less is not acceptable," he said.
A 2017 report by the Inspector of Custodial Services on Greenough Regional Prison found staff and management relationships at the jail were "poor" - partly due to overtime cuts.
Corrective Services Minister Fran Logan said on Friday he had inherited a prison system in crisis and he blamed "legacy issues" from the former Barnett government, 6PR's Lisa Barnes reported.
Up to 80 prisoners were involved in the Greenough jail riot, and because of the damage, 38 cells were now out of action, she said.
Prisons around WA were now taking measures to restrict access by prisoners to tools like those used during the riot and escape.
Anarchy erupted at the facility on Tuesday after prison officers went to extinguish a cell fire that was started as a diversion.
Premier Mark McGowan said a "military-style operation" was required to secure the prison and it took hours because smoke was going through the facility and inmate safety was a priority.
Some prisoners suffered smoke inhalation and three officers were pepper-sprayed but there were no serious injuries.
Molotov cocktails were thrown during the rampage and male prisoners broke into the female unit, with at least one inmate freeing his partner and sister from their cells, fearing the fire would reach them.
Corrective Services Commissioner Tony Hassall said 15 ringleaders started the melee and up to 80 joined in.
In a statement released to WAtoday on Friday the Department of Justice said overtime was "not being arbitrarily restricted."
"The use of overtime will continue to be used, but WA prisons are working to reach the levels set in prison budgets for overtime," the department said.
"From time to time, there may be occasions on some days where staffing levels fluctuate due to unplanned leave or operational imperatives.
"Commissioner Hassall has directed prison superintendents to use overtime as they see appropriate to ensure attempts at causing disturbances or other issues can be managed as effectively as possible."
With AAP