Notorious youth jail in lockdown as inmates wielding makeshift weapons 'overpower a prison guard and steal a swipe card in attempted mass break out'
- Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre is in lockdown after a break-out attempt
- It's believed the youths had overpowered a guard and stole a swipe card
- Some had makeshift weapons, including a deodorant tube placed in a sock
- The situation was somewhat averted after staff started using OC spray
- Victoria Police are investigating the matter, and officials remain at the centre
A notorious youth prison is in lockdown after inmates made a break-out attempt, it's been reported.
The chaos erupted at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, northwest of Melbourne, on Tuesday afternoon.
The young men are alleged to have used makeshift weapons to overpower a guard and steal a swipe card.
Chaos erupted at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre (pictured) north-west of Melbourne , on Tuesday afternoon
One inmate armed himself a deodorant tube placed in a sock, The Herald Sun reported.
It's believed a number of the prisoners managed to escaped the Latrobe unit, but the crisis was somewhat adverted when officers used OC spray.
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The prison, which caters for young men aged between 15 and 21, is thought to remain in lockdown.
A number senior youth justice officers are believed to be on the premises.
The youths are alleged to have used makeshift weapons to overpower a guard and steal a swipe card to escape the premises (Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre pictured)
(File picture) The prison, northwest of Melbourne, caters for young men aged between 15 and 21
Security and Emergency Services Group officers and Safety and Emergency Response Team members were also in attendance.
Paramedics were called to the scene around 5pm, and have assessed at least five individuals.
A number of people attended to by paramedics are thought to be prison staff members.
According to Ambulance Victoria, one person has been taken into hospital for treatment.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Community Safety confirmed an incident had occurred at the centre, which had required an 'immediate' response.
The image shows an aerial view of Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre and the surrounding areas
'Emergency response procedures were immediately enacted, and the incident was successfully contained by staff,' they said.
'Staff are to be commended for their swift and professional response to this incident,' they added.
Victoria Police and the Department of Justice and Community Safety are investigating the matter.
This isn't the first time inmates have tried to escape from the centre.
In 2017, a number of inmates successfully broke out of the detainment centre.
Once they'd absconded the youths then went of a terrifying crime spree, involving carjackings and robberies.
