South Australia prisons in lockdown over 'failure to address overcrowding concerns'

A union has placed inmates in all South Australian prisons in lockdown over what it says is a failing by the Corrections Department to address overcrowding concerns.

The Public Service Association (PSA) earlier said officers would lock down cells from 5:00pm unless its concerns were addressed.

The union said a bed shortage was forcing “unsuitable prisoners” into low and medium-security Mobilong Prison, near Murray Bridge, which was a risk for prison guards.

Union official Natasha Brown said they met Corrections Department staff earlier today to demand a more stringent assessment process for Mobilong prisoners, but nothing was resolved and members then voted to take industrial action.

“Mobilong is an open campus-style prison, it’s not suitable for all types of prisoners and to have high-risk prisoners in that type of facility puts both officer and prisoner safety at risk,” Ms Brown said.

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