MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has called for the State Government to ensure there is an appropriate number of guards at the city’s privately managed prison.
This follows a number of employees approaching Mr Bell over fears the prison may not be adequately staffed when its major expansion is completed.
Security concerns among employees have particularly heightened following a staff member being allegedly raped last year by a convicted murderer in a prison accommodation unit.
The Mount Gambier Prison – operated by G4S Custodial Services – will become one of the largest correctional facilities in the state when the $62m expansion is completed in June.
When the 160-bed residential complex is up and running, the prison will be home to 653 inmates.
This is just eight beds less than the Port Augusta Prison.
Mr Bell revealed yesterday a number of staff have raised safety concerns given the major expansion under way and former incidents at the facility.
“I understand one staff member has left and another one is looking for work,” the Independent MP said.
Mr Bell said it appeared the prisoner to guard ratio was less at the Mount Gambier Prison than at other government-operated correctional facilities.
“There appears to be two sets of rules,” he said.
Mr Bell also questioned how many additional staff would be employed to accommodate the expansion.
“Staff have not been told if any more staff will be put on,” he said.
The Mount Gambier MP revealed staff members have claimed the prison’s hierarchy had indicated the facility needed to “run lean” so it could secure the management tender.
The Border Watch contacted Correctional Services Minister Chris Picton yesterday for comment on the issue.
During a tour of the expanding facility in mid-January, Mr Picton said it was anticipated the expansion would create a number of additional jobs.
“There are opportunities for people in the region to obtain full-time jobs with G4S ramping up in terms of recruiting additional staff now they are ready when this expansion opens in the middle of the year,” the minister said at the time.
During this visit, Mr Picton downplayed community concern about negative social impacts of the prison expansion.
“The prison has been running here for 20 years and there is very little evidence that it has happened in that time,” he said.
