Media release – Community and Public Sector Union, State Public Services Federation Tasmania, 15 December 2021
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS STOP WORK OVER SHORT STAFFING
Correctional Officers across Tasmania’s prison service will walk off the job this morning to demand action on short staffing that is resulting in unacceptable levels of lockdown and creating an unsafe workplace.
Officers are concerned that the Gutwein government has plans to open new correctional facilities in early 2022 despite having insufficient Correctional Officers to staff the existing facilities.
“Every day there are too few staff available to safely open prison units so that inmates can spend time out of their cells and undertake the programs they need to rehabilitate,” said CPSU Assistant Secretary Tom Lynch.
“The government keeps telling Tasmania it’s committed to reducing our dreadful recidivism record but that can’t happen while inmates are denied access to the programs they need to integrate back into society,” said Mr. Lynch.
“The only answer the government has to understaffing is to continually cut corners, trying to force Correctional Officers to unlock units with too few staff to do it safely. History shows this always results in incidents that leave Correctional Officers injured and risks public safety,” said Mr. Lynch.
The Stop Work meeting will endorse minimum staffing levels that ensure Officer safety. Members will also resolve not to open any new facilities until staff shortages in existing facilities have been resolved.
“While the rest of the community enjoy a break over Christmas and New Year, Correctional Officers will continue to keep us all safe. The least the government can do is to provide them with a safe workplace,” said Mr. Lynch.
Media release – Ella Haddad MP, Shadow Corrections Minister, 15 December 2021
Liberal Government still not listening to prison staff
Staff at Tasmanian prisons have been left with little option but to take stop work action today as their repeated concerns to the Liberal Government over workplace safety continue to be ignored.
Shadow Corrections Minister Ella Haddad said serious on-going concerns in relation to chronic understaffing of the prison and a continued effort to cut corners by the government and Minister Elise Archer had led to the stop work action.
“Despite an ongoing flood of reports from the Custodial Inspector and despite constant representations to Ms Archer, the situation at the prison remains on a knife’s edge,” Ms Haddad said.
“The prison remains overcrowded, staff numbers are often too short to safely operate the prison and working conditions are dangerous.
“Safety is being compromised on a daily basis for both staff and inmates.
“With the reports of the Custodial Inspector outlining these facts continuing to mount on Ms Archer’s desk, the Corrections Minister is acutely aware of this unacceptable situation.
“Additionally, representatives of the prison staff have informed Ms Archer first hand of a dangerous situation that must be remedied.
“But with no action from Ms Archer or the government, workers have been left with no choice but to take a stand with stop work action. “How else will the government actually listen and take these concerns seriously?
“I urge the Liberal Government to get on with the job of ensuring the safety of the corrections system finally becomes a priority.
“Ms Archer can no longer ignore what is right in front of her.”
