A Public Service Association (PSA) meeting of Worksite Representatives from Yatala Labour Prison, Pt Augusta Prison, Pt Lincoln Prison, Cadell Training Centre, The Adelaide Remand Centre and Mobilong Prison, was held on Monday 13 October 2008 at 1pm to discuss the ongoing overcrowding in South Australian Public Prisons.

The meeting was attended by PSA General Secretary, Jan McMahon, PSA Councillors Pat Bell and Michael Griffiths and was convened in response to the recent inmate riot and siege that took place at Pt Augusta Prison on Thursday 9 October and Friday 10 October, as a direct result of the current circumstances currently being endured in the States Correctional facilities. The meeting resulted in the following motion being tabled and passed:

“PSA Worksite Representatives find it unacceptable that members are continually having their lives put at risk. Furthermore, it is unacceptable that members as a result of increasing tension and violence in prisons, are continually being exposed to such an unsafe work environment . As a result of recent events, PSA Worksite Representatives endorse the following:

“No transfers of prisoners are to commence until DCS acknowledge the current overcrowding crisis within the institutions.

No transfers over and above the current agreed numbers are to take place until further satisfactory agreement has been reached to effectively resolve the current bed space management crisis to minimise risk to the health, safety and welfare of members.”

The PSA and its Worksite Representatives will continue to campaign on behalf of its members to ensure that the ongoing risks that Correctional Officers face on a daily basis is minimised and that Department for Correctional Services officials effectively manage prisoner numbers and overcrowding in State facilities.

For any inquiries or comments please contact PSA Industrial Officer Wayne Dungey, phone: (08) 8205 3238 or email: wkd@cpsu.asn.au

PSA SUPPORTING CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS