Prisoner assaults three more officers at Casuarina

A violent prisoner has assaulted another three prison officers at Casuarina Prison today just over a week after he attacked five officers while being escorted to make a telephone call.

The prisoner, who has been under increased scrutiny since last week’s attacks, kicked a prison officer as the officer was cuffing him to be escorted to the shower. The kick caused the officer’s leg to buckle and he fell to the floor. Two other officers intervened and were injured as a result.

One officer sustained a hand injury while it is believed the other officers suffered minor grazes and bruising. All three officers have been sent home to recuperate.

WA Prison Officers’ Union Secretary John Welch said the latest assaults brought the number of attacks on prison officers to nearly ninety in the past year.

Mr Welch called on the Barnett Government to start showing some respect to the men and women working in WA jails.

“It’s time the Barnett Government acknowledged the dangerous jobs that prison officers do and the difficult environments they work in.

“With the prison system nearing breaking point, it’s time the State Government started fixing the crisis in WA’s prison system,” said Mr Welch.

WAPOU recently launched the “Respect the Risk “ campaign to get a fairer deal for Prison Officers from the Barnett Government.

Prison Officers are calling for proper staffing levels, new prison facilities to deal with the chronic overcrowding and better pay and conditions.

Click here to download the full media release