NSW prison officers strike over colleague's alleged assault by inmate
Prison officers from across the state have walked of the job after police charged a 21-year-old inmate over an assault on a colleague last month.
The Public Services Association (PSA) in New South Wales is protesting after a prison officer was allegedly assaulted by an inmate and released without charges. The incident occurred at the John Moroney Correctional Centre near Windsor in July, leaving the 55-year-old officer with severe injuries including a broken eye socket, broken nose, and missing teeth.
The PSA claims the inmate, a 21-year-old, was initially not charged over the assault and was granted bail for other matters. NSW Police charged the inmate with causing grievous bodily harm to a law enforcement officer on Tuesday, after his arrest at a home in Blacktown. The union's general secretary, Stewart Little, expressed outrage over the release of the accused without charges, stating that the situation is outrageous.
Corrective Services NSW confirmed that the alleged assault is under a police investigation and emphasized that any decisions regarding charges are matters for police. The 24-hour walk-out by prison officers has been referred to the Industrial Relations Commission, and all correctional centres remain secure.
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