Casuarina Prison Glass Testing

On the eve of the opening of two new units at Casuarina Prison local members have expressed concerns that the large expanse of glass around the control rooms and officer interview rooms was a risk to staff. Casuarina members have requested grills to be installed over all the glass.

The Department of Justice has stated that the architects specified glass that would maintain its integrity for one hour and that grills would not be necessary.

On behalf of the Casuarina members, WAPOU Executive requested that a test be conducted on the glass to test its strength.

On Thursday, May 8, the Special Operations Group carried out tests observed by Casuarina WAPOU Delegates, WAPOU President Ken Brown and WAPOU Secretary Andy Smith. The glass performed well under the initial physical test and using implements reasonably found with the unit environment.

Unfortunately it did not perform well when tested with implements that could possibly be obtained from workshops (hammers, screwdrivers etc.) lasting less than eight minutes.
 
Deputy Commissioner Mike Reynolds was informed that members of the Casuarina Branch would not accept prisoners into the new units until grills were installed over the glass.

On Friday, May 8, WAPOU Secretary Andy Smith received a letter from Commissioner Tony Hassall confirming that the Department of Justice would not compromise staff safety and that prisoners would not be transferred into the units until the security of the officers areas was remedied.