Over 200 staff walk off the job at Goulburn Jail sparking a state-wide strike

Goulburn prison officers are expected to return to work tonight and tomorrow following talks today.

The move follows the State Government's promise to make urgent representations to the DPP regarding the recent quashing of inmate Bazam Hamzy's 20-month sentence for assaulting a prison officer in 2017.

Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little said the union welcomed the "backdown."   

"But why do prison officers have to strike, across the state for 24 hours, to have their safety concerns heard?" he asked.

"This is a government that has consistently shown little regard for those who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe.

"This is a government which thinks the people who work for our state, including prison officers, TAFE staff, park rangers and more, are an inconvenience. The PSA will continue to support and fight for all NSW workers."

He said all affected PSA members had been informed of Corrections Minister David Elliott's and Attorney General Mark Speakman's statement this afternoon.

Association Sub Branches still have to vote on the return to work but a spokesperson said members were appeased by the government's move.

"There are ongoing concerns about staffing but the PSA's main issue is that if a prison officer is bashed while on duty, there should be mandated sentences," she said.

It's unclear at this stage whether the Industrial Relations Commission will take action against workers who defied the return to work order today.

Update Saturday 6pm:

Corrective Services Minister David Elliott says the government is "standing firm" with prison officers.

"They have one of the most dangerous jobs in the state. Their safety is our priority," he and Attorney General Mark Speakman said in a statement.

"Urgent advice has been sought from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether it will appeal the recent District Court judgment in relation to the matter of Hamzy.

"Even if the Director of Public Prosecutions does not appeal, or an appeal is unsuccessful, then a re-elected Liberals and Nationals Government will amend the legislation to ensure any loophole is addressed and it is strengthened, meaning officers will enjoy the full protection of the law and their safety is enhanced."

Update Saturday 1pm:

Unionised prison officers remain on strike at Goulburn Jail today despite the Industrial Relations Commission ordering them back to work yesterday.

Labor candidate for Goulburn Dr Ursula Stephens said she had been in contact with the Public Service Association this morning.

"None of the union members, which number up to 200, have responded to the request to go back to work," she said.

They will remain on strike until at least Monday morning when the Association's Prison Officers Vocational Branch meets with Corrective Services.

Officers are angry over safety, security and staffing following several assaults on their colleagues by Supermax inmates this week.

"I'm standing with officers because I'm aware of the pressure they're under," Dr Stephens said.

"They have been working extraordinary hours to cover staff shortages and it is leading to unsafe work practices."

Executive staff are manning the facility today and prisoners remain in lock down until at least Monday morning.

The prison towers are not being manned.

Update Friday 5.30pm

A Corrective Services spokeswoman said the Industrial Relations Commission had this afternoon ordered correctional officers to return to work tomorrow morning, Saturday, March 9, after staff across the state had taken "unauthorised industrial action" today.

"CSNSW looks forward to productive discussions with staff and the unions to ensure the ongoing safety of staff," the spokesperson said.       

"Staff safety and security is the highest priority for Corrective Services NSW.

The spokesperson said The Public Service Association raised the issue of staff safety in Goulburn’s High Risk Management Correctional Centre with CSNSW senior management earlier this week and a meeting has been scheduled for Monday.

"We are concerned about a recent judgement in the District Court of Appeal and are actively seeking avenues of appeal," the spokesperson said

"CSNSW considers any assault on staff as unacceptable and supports prosecutions of inmates who engage in this behaviour."

Meantime, a Public Service Association said the union would communicate the back to work order to all affected members.

“Following the assault of an officer on Friday, March 8 officers, understandably walked off the job.They were joined by their colleagues across NSW," a spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Department commenced proceedings before the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW before Commissioner Constance in conciliation and Commissioner Murphy in arbitration. As a result of that arbitration conducted by Commissioner Murphy, a number of orders were issued directing members to return to work."

But the Association has not let up in its campaign over handling of dangerous inmates. It cited Acting Judge Stuart Graham's August, 2017 decision to quash the conviction of Supermax prisoner Bassam Hamzy for the assault of a prison officer at Goulburn Jail.

“Subsequently, the Department have also given a direction that officers may not impose behaviour management plans against violent and dangerous inmates, including those convicted of terror offences, pending further legal advice," a spokesman said.

“This week, there have seen a number of officers assaulted at the Goulburn Correctional Complex. This situation is unacceptable and requires intervention by the Commissioner of Corrective Services, the Minister for Corrective Services, the Attorney General and the Premier.

Update Friday 2pm

Over 200 staff have walked off the job at Goulburn Jail, leaving only a skeleton staff manning the jail.

The prisoners are all in lock down, but the towers are unmanned - even at the Supermax - Australia's highest security jail. 

The staff walk-out this morning has been the spark in the tinderbox that is NSW Corrective Services - with a prison-officer strike that has now gone state-wide. 

Sources from inside the jail, who did not wish to be named due to fear of recrimination, told The Goulburn Post that up to 200 staff had walked off the job at Goulburn Jail this morning, following the latest alleged assault in a string of attacks at the facility this week. 

According to sources, a prison officer working in the Supermax was allegedly punched in the mouth as he opened a cell door this morning. 

He received injuries including a cut lip, but still have his teeth intact.

The alleged attack follows two assaults in the Supermax on Sunday. 

"We are tired of being punching bags," one source told the Post.

"What if it had been a shiv?"

Another source said: "We need more support in doing our jobs."

Sources from the jail say a skeleton staff, comprising executive officers, is currently manning the jail.

"But at Goulburn the numbers of executive officers have been reduced in recent State Government bench-marking processes," the source said.  

"There are less than 20 staff in there manning the place right now." 

Labor candidate for Goulburn Dr Ursula Stephens said it was "a recipe for disaster."

"There have been five alleged assaults there in one week," she said.

"These staff need our support."

As the Goulburn Post was talking to aggrieved staff and sources gathered not far from the jail this morning after the walkout, reports were coming through of Corrective Service staff walking off the job at all other jails across the state as well as officers working in the courts system. 

Update Friday 12.30pm

Corrective Services has released a statement concerning this morning's walk-out by custodial staff.

A spokesperson said the Department understood staff were unhappy with the way how Corrective Services managed incidents of staff assault.

"Staff safety and security is the highest priority for Corrective Services NSW," she said.

"The Public Service Association raised the issue of staff safety in Goulburn's High Risk Management Correctional Centre with CSNSW senior management earlier this week and a meeting has been scheduled for Monday."

She said Corrective Services was concerned about the recent District Court judgement to quash Supermax inmate Bassam Hamzy's 20-month sentence for attacking a prison officer in 2017. 

"We  are actively seeking avenues of appeal," she said.

"CSNSW considers any assault on staff as unacceptable and supports prosecutions of inmates who engage in this behaviour.

"CSNSW is seeking the assistance of the Industrial Relations Commission to resolve the immediate issues and will be working with staff and their representatives to put in place measures to ensure the ongoing safety of staff.

"All inmates are secure in their cells and the prison is being run by a skeleton staff. Public security has not been compromised.

"In the meantime, all visits to the prison have been cancelled."

Friday 11.45am

Corrective Services officers at Goulburn Jail have walked off the job in protest following another alleged assault in the Supermax.

Goulburn Labor candidate Dr Ursula Stephens said prison officers held a stop-work meeting after the alleged assault and have gone out on strike until Monday on workplace health and safety issues.

"It continues to be an issue in the jail that they are working massive overtime and they are understaffed and they have had enough," Dr Stephens said.

More to come. 

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