Labor supports correctional officers at Risdon Prison, who have today been forced to walk off the job in a desperate plea for safer work conditions and suitable wages.
Risdon Prison Correctional Supervisor and United Workers Union delegate, Phill Pregnell, told ABC this morning that morale is at breaking point amongst prison staff.
Shadow Corrections Minster, Ella Haddad, said correctional officers have already been forced to walk off the job this year and deserve better than to be continually ignored.
"Everyone recognises that correctional officers are doing a job that is difficult by its very nature. These hard workers are simply trying to do their job, serving the community, to the best of their ability," Ms Haddad said.
"But the reality is they are being constantly hampered and restricted by a government that is continuing to ignore their desperate pleas for help.
"The Auditor General's report paints a dire picture of conditions in the prison system, with years of mismanagement causing the service to be in the worst state it's ever been in.
"By failing to recruit and retain staff the Liberals are putting correctional officers and inmates at serious risk: we know that lockdowns are up more than 200,000 hours in recent years, causing more assaults, more self-harm and more depression. This creates a toxic environment for staff as well as for inmates that puts their safety at risk.
"The Liberals are aware of issues in our prison system but have refused to come back to the table with an adequate wage offer or a serious commitment to deal with understaffing and significant workplace health and safety issues.
"It's time the Liberals finally acted on the appalling state of Tasmania's prison service. Dedicated Tasmanian workers deserve better."
Ella Haddad
Shadow Corrections Minister
