OMEN
04-17-2006, 01:17 PM
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Risdon ... the prison is home to Port Arthur killer Martin Bryant
HOBART'S Risdon Prison faces more unrest after a siege was quelled with the use of a chemical agent, a prisoners' advocate said today.
The 20-hour stand-off began early yesterday as inmates overpowered a female prison officer, stole her keys and locked themselves in an office.
It was the second time in 12 months inmates had held prison authorities at bay.
The Tasmanian Prison Service Tactical Response Group was cleared to use the chemical to quell the siege at 5.30am (AEST) today after negotiations broke down during the evening.
It was released about 6.30am and rebel prisoners surrendered a short time later.
Assistant director of prisons Greg Partridge refused to identify the chemical, claiming it was a matter of operational security.
Mr Partridge said inmates exposed to the chemical agent were decontaminated and removed to another area of the prison.
Prison Action Reform Group spokesman Greg Barns said the community had a right to know what was used and to receive assurances that proper medical and decontamination procedures were followed.
"I assume it was capsicum spray, as I'm aware that is used at the prison," Mr Barns said.
"The main concern is the assistant director's complete refusal to make transparent the way the siege was ended."
Mr Barns warned more unrest was likely.
He said Risdon Prison was overcrowded and too cold, and a planned move to a new prison later this year would do little to help morale unless its management became more progressive.
"The challenge now is for the new (Tasmanian) Attorney-General, Steve Kons, who seems determined to take a much more reformist and conciliatory approach towards prisoners than his predecessor," Mr Barns said.
He said a greater focus on rehabilitation was needed.
"Around 47 per cent of those who go to Risdon Prison are returning to the prison," Mr Barns said.
"I'm not aware of any other examples in Australia where we've had sieges happening so often and (where) we've also got a 47 per cent recidivism rate."
The Public Sector Union (PSU) which covers prison guards said the female officer involved had not suffered any significant injuries.
However, PSU spokesman Tom Lynch said the guard would have the added stress of knowing that similar incidents could occur again.
During the stand-off, prisoners made demands concerning nutrition and packaging of food, exercise activity and dental treatment.
Last May, prisoners held authorities at bay for 41 hours after rioting, taking a prison guard as hostage and threatening to cut off his fingers one by one.
That siege was resolved with the late-night delivery of 15 pizzas.
News.AU
Risdon ... the prison is home to Port Arthur killer Martin Bryant
HOBART'S Risdon Prison faces more unrest after a siege was quelled with the use of a chemical agent, a prisoners' advocate said today.
The 20-hour stand-off began early yesterday as inmates overpowered a female prison officer, stole her keys and locked themselves in an office.
It was the second time in 12 months inmates had held prison authorities at bay.
The Tasmanian Prison Service Tactical Response Group was cleared to use the chemical to quell the siege at 5.30am (AEST) today after negotiations broke down during the evening.
It was released about 6.30am and rebel prisoners surrendered a short time later.
Assistant director of prisons Greg Partridge refused to identify the chemical, claiming it was a matter of operational security.
Mr Partridge said inmates exposed to the chemical agent were decontaminated and removed to another area of the prison.
Prison Action Reform Group spokesman Greg Barns said the community had a right to know what was used and to receive assurances that proper medical and decontamination procedures were followed.
"I assume it was capsicum spray, as I'm aware that is used at the prison," Mr Barns said.
"The main concern is the assistant director's complete refusal to make transparent the way the siege was ended."
Mr Barns warned more unrest was likely.
He said Risdon Prison was overcrowded and too cold, and a planned move to a new prison later this year would do little to help morale unless its management became more progressive.
"The challenge now is for the new (Tasmanian) Attorney-General, Steve Kons, who seems determined to take a much more reformist and conciliatory approach towards prisoners than his predecessor," Mr Barns said.
He said a greater focus on rehabilitation was needed.
"Around 47 per cent of those who go to Risdon Prison are returning to the prison," Mr Barns said.
"I'm not aware of any other examples in Australia where we've had sieges happening so often and (where) we've also got a 47 per cent recidivism rate."
The Public Sector Union (PSU) which covers prison guards said the female officer involved had not suffered any significant injuries.
However, PSU spokesman Tom Lynch said the guard would have the added stress of knowing that similar incidents could occur again.
During the stand-off, prisoners made demands concerning nutrition and packaging of food, exercise activity and dental treatment.
Last May, prisoners held authorities at bay for 41 hours after rioting, taking a prison guard as hostage and threatening to cut off his fingers one by one.
That siege was resolved with the late-night delivery of 15 pizzas.
News.AU