State Violence Upon Prisoners for Wage Rise

7 prisons across South Australia (SA) were today locked down for the third day straight as prison officers under the Public Service Association (PSA) strike for a wage rise.

Prisoners are reporting:

• No showers for days in units that do not have in-cell showers
• No clean clothes or bedding provided
• No access to phone calls, including to speak to children, partners, lawyers and other support services
• Cancellation of court hearings, including bail applications
• Cancellation of family and professional visits
• Cancellation of hospital and medical appointments
• No wing or yard access
• People due for release not being released

State violence on show

While striking officers claim the action is a peaceful protest, the act of keeping people locked in cells and denying basic human rights is a clear act of State violence against vulnerable people.

At the heart of the strike is the claim by the PSA that violence within the prison is directly linked to the low wages for officers. However, reports from prisoners suggest surge of increased violence, particularly in Yatala Labour Prison, is due to officer conduct.

Prisoners report that prison staff who are members of the PSA are acting to agitate prisoners and incite violence and rioting. This action is said to include extending lock-down times with late unlocks and early lock-downs, removing long-standing privileges such as access to gyms and sporting equipment, and using hostile language when speaking to prisoners.

Further claims that staff turnover is caused by low wages is also disputed. Staff moral within SA prisons has been low for years. During 2021 the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption published findings that prison management employed a ‘Blue Shirt Code’ that required officers to assist in covering up wrongdoing by other officers against prisoners. Recent claims that officers who did not participate in the strike would be publicly shamed by union-member officers suggests the blue shirt code continues to operate.

These claims suggest the increased violence is not because of wages but rather by design of ongoing strategic campaigning by the staff themselves who seek a wage rise.

No contingency plans

ABC News today reported David Brown, Chief Executive for Correctional Services, saying the department was experienced in operating under emergency conditions after the COVID-19 pandemic, and quoted him saying, “There’s no doubt it has an impact on services to prisoners, but we have a good plan in place.”

Prisoners, however, report the most senior staff, including the General Manager and Security Manager of Yatala Labour Prison, are working from 6am to midnight to attempt to discharge basic duties normally undertaken by officers.

With negotiations appearing to be well out of reach for resolution, the PSA seek to hold another stop-work meeting tomorrow where another day of striking is likely.

This is an unacceptable failure by the Department and the Minister of Corrections.

Demand for action

RAD Faction stands alongside the National Network for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls in their call for:

1. An immediate end to all lockdowns across SA prisons.
2. The full restoration of prisoners’ human rights, including access to phones, visits, mail, courts, medical care and movement.
3. Immediate independent oversight, including Ombudsman, Community Visitors Scheme, and human rights organisation, to enter prisons and verify prisoner welfare.
4. A commitment that no future industrial action will be carried out in a way that harms or endangers imprisoned people.

For further comment, please contact Dan Vansetten on 0415 988 940