A “brutal” assault by an inmate at WA’s Casuarina Prison has left wardens requiring plastic surgery to repair severe injuries.
WA Prison Officers Union State Secretary Andy Smith told 6PR on Thursday the incident stemmed from understaffing at facilities across the state.
At the time of Tuesday’s allegedly unprovoked attack, the two officers were unlocking a door.
“The prisoner came out aggressive and punching,” Mr Smith said. “It was unexpected and very brutal.”
The officers were left with broken noses, loosened teeth and required plastic surgery.
According to Mr Smith, the more seriously injured officer was due to be released from hospital on Wednesday.
“It was fairly substantial and horrific injuries that he’s sustained just in the course of his normal duties,” Mr Smith said.
“You can be on guard so to speak, but you can’t be for 12 hours a shift.”
Just three days prior to the assault, the prisoner is alleged to have attacked other officers, but it was decided not to move him to a higher security area.
According to Mr Smith, Casuarina is short staffed by around 30-50 officers evxjmtzywery day, which leads to a higher chance of incidents occurring.
Casuarina Prison is the main maximum-security prison for male prisoners in WA.
In December 2021, a riot broke out at the facility, with dozens of prisoners barricading themselves in one of the wings and causing severe damage.
At the time, Mr Smith said “our members are at breaking point and are exhausted from doing countless hours of overtime just to ensure the prisons can run”.
There are over 400 prison officers unable to work and receiving compensation in WA, predominantly as the result of attacks by inmates.
In August 2021, the WA Public Sector Commissioner launched an investigation into employment practices and workplace culture in the state’s prison system.
At the time, Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston said the focus was getting prisons to operate “efficiently” in order to deliver the best value for the taxpayer.
With 7000 adults incarcerated across 16 institutions, WA’s prison system cost over $1 billion to operate in 2020-21.
