A major disturbance involving several prisoners has reportedly caused significant internal damage at Perth’s maximum-security prison and left an officer injured.
WA Prison Officers Union secretary Andy Smith said a disturbance broke out at Casuarina Prison, in Perth’s south, on Thursday.
Mr Smith claimed two wings of a prison unit had been “trashed” and water had inundated several cells.
“That could leave anything up to 50 or 60 beds out of action,” he said.
Andy Smith says up to 60 beds were impacted. (
ABC News: Keane Bourke
)
Mr Smith said he understood the disturbance was quelled within a couple of hours but it would take time to repair damage.
“We can’t afford to lose cells,” he said.
The Department of Justice confirmed the disturbance in a statement issued on Thursday night.
“Preliminary reports indicate about seven prisoners caused a disturbance this afternoon in their unit wing at Casuarina Prison,” the department said.
“Officers from the Special Operations Group and Prison Response Team resolved the incident, securing all prisoners in their cells.
“One officer sustained a minor injury. Damage to the unit is being assessed.
“All cells in the unit are operational.”
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