The Opposition has lashed out at the State Government for failing to keep prison staff safe following revelations taxpayers are on the hook for over $25 million in workers compensation claims.
Opposition Leader Shane Love said questions revealed in Parliament this week that custodial officers working in WA prisons were subjected to nearly 800 violent assaults in the 12 months since June 2023.
“The number of violent assaults reported included 39 serious assaults, 216 assaults, and 539 ‘other assaults’ for a total of 794 incidents in the last year alone,” Mr Love said.
“That’s a massive increase from a decade ago, with a 2014 report from the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services revealing a total of 22 serious assaults across a five-year period – we’re now seeing almost double that in a single year.
“Nobody should face the threat of violence in their workplaces, and to record almost 800 violent assaults in such a short timeframe demonstrates this Cook Labor Government has lost control of our corrective services.
“It is no wonder that reports of plummeting morale and understaffing are rife as staff are choosing to walk away from the job rather than risk their health and safety.”
Mr Love said the situation has left the State Government on the hook for a potential workers compensation payout worth a total of $25,057,442 across 183 physical injury and eight psychological injury claims.
“The State Government’s inability to address chronic understaffing in our prisons has directly contributed to the rise in violence against custodial staff.
“It’s a dangerous and disgraceful situation which has seen almost 200 officers unable to attend work and a bill to the taxpayer worth more than $25 million in a single year.”
Recent media reports have revealed prison officers have required surgery to repair broken noses and cut faces, with one officer recently king-hit from behind while at work.
Mr Love also queried the purchase of luxury electronic items for offenders in youth custody.
“While many WA families are grappling with the cost-of-living crisis and struggling to pay rent or access stable housing, the State’s worst youth offenders are being gifted luxury electronics like Nintendo Switches, Xboxes and MP3 players at taxpayer expense,” Mr Love said.
“The State Government has spent over $9,000 to provide a Nintendo Switch and TV set for every youth offender at Unit 18 and spent further undisclosed funds on Xbox consoles and MP3 players in the most recent financial year.
“The Cook Labor Government has totally lost control of the Corrective Services, and frequent Cabinet shuffles have left the portfolio with no stability or leadership.”
