Staff at Canberra's jail were powerless to stop unrest among prisoners this week because they had not been trained to use tear gas, according to the union representing prison guards.
Key points:
- Guards at Canberra's jail have not been trained in how to use tear gas since 2015, the CPSU say
- Since Tuesday's unrest at the jail, two more fires have been lit
- The CPSU say the guards are powerless, and morale is low
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has also claimed guards at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) are overworked, understaffed and inadequately trained, leaving them unable to quell rising tensions in the prison.
More than two dozen prisoners refused to re-enter their cells on Tuesday night, lighting fires, damaging doors and CCTV equipment and causing a tense three-hour standoff.
Fire crews had to be escorted through the jail by guards holding shields.
Two more fires were lit on Wednesday — one by an inmate involved in the unrest 15 hours earlier.
CPSU regional secretary Maddy Northam said guards were unable to contain the situation as they had not been trained in how to use tear gas since 2015.
"This has been a massive safety risk for our members on site, but also for the detainees," Ms Northam said.
"There was in-date gas onsite but no-one trained to deploy it.
"This is unacceptable; we understand that training hasn't been undertaken since 2015."
The union also said that, alongside the lack of training, the jail's batons were kept in a different area of the prison and were not readily available to guards on the night.
"This could've been stopped if staff were trained in the deployment of CS gas, there was increased staffing numbers, and they had access to the appropriate tools they need to do their job safely," Ms Northam said.
"Staff morale is low and they're telling us tensions in the jail have been rising.
"Unless staff are trained to stop this, it will happen again."
The union said their initial reports suggested the damage to the prison will cost approximately half a million dollars.
Corrections says staff training a priority
In response to the union's accusations, Justice and Community Services (JACS) said the prison had faced staffing challenges, in part as a result of COVID-19.
"The public health emergency and restrictions in the ACT has presented staffing challenges at AMC and impacted the ability to train new recruits," it said in a statement.
"ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS) continue to actively recruit correctional officers to ensure that roster gaps are filled."
The directorate said it was working on further training for staff in the use of tear gas, adding Tuesday night's incident did not require the use of "chemical aids".
"Chemical aids must be used appropriately and in compliance with both policy and legislation related to the use of force," it said.
"It is essential that staff are trained proficiently and safely in its deployment and due diligence and care is used.
"All ACTCS Correctional officers will be trained in the deployment of chemical aids as part of the ongoing enhancements and increased capability of the Use of Force package which commenced initial roll out in 2018."
Addressing concerns batons were kept too far away from staff, the statement said the weapons were "securely located in designated areas" and "only deployed in planned interventions or situations that require it in the AMC".
Prison unrest leads to review
Newly-minted Minister for Corrections Mick Gentleman said he had already met with the union about the incident, and would also soon meet AMC staff.
"These claims are concerning to me, having just taken over the portfolio, and I will be discussing them further with the CPSU and Inspector of Corrections. I have also initiated a review into the incident at AMC this week," he said in a statement.
"It's important that staff at the AMC are adequately trained, equipped and supported to do their jobs. I have always focused on ensuring the safety and security of staff in my portfolios and intend to continue this as Minister for Corrections."
ACT Corrective Services Commissioner Jon Peach said there had been increased tension in the jail over the coronavirus pandemic.
"I don't want to say this event was strictly down to COVID-19, but I have no doubt it was a factor," he said after Tuesday's unrest.
"It's been a challenging year for everyone in the community, as well as the prisoners."
The prison was in lockdown into Wednesday afternoon, causing delays at court and stripping inmates of their visitation rights.
An investigation has been launched into the fires and prison authorities said charges may be laid.
Tuesday night's incident occurred hours before Freedom of Information documents showed an increase in reported assaults on AMC staff this year.