Today the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) released a report on the challenges of working in the adult corrections system.

Code Blue – the reality of working in Victoria's prisons was informed by the lived experience of hundreds of correctional staff across the state via an in-depth survey.

The report identifies confronting statistics around occupational violence, chronic understaffing and the mental health and wellbeing of prison officers.

The report shows the main workplace risks that staff have experienced in the last 12 months:

• 90.9% had experienced verbal abuse or intimidation
• 72.6% had experienced threats of violence
• 66.3% had been exposed to self-harm
• 61.1% had been exposed to blood or bodily fluids
• 50.3% had experienced serious understaffing during an incident
• 42.9% had been exposed to an attempted suicide
• 32.6% had experienced physical assault
• 18.3% had been exposed to a death in custody.

On top of the workplace risks, correctional staff are also required to manage medical emergencies, support people experiencing mental health issues, and respond to complex behavioural situations.

Code Blue shows that staff do not believe their training adequately prepares them for the reality of prison work, particularly its psychological and emotional demands. Many stories shared by prison staff show a lack of support by management in the aftermath of highly destressing incidents, which has a significant impact on the mental health of workers.

The CPSU will use this report to underpin an ongoing campaign to achieve better pay, safer staffing levels, increased retention of experienced workers, and improved recognition and support for correctional officers as frontline professionals.

Quotes attributable to CPSU Branch Secretary Jiselle Hanna

"Prison officers are working within increasingly complex and often dangerous environments which impacts staff safety and morale, mental health, and staff retention rates."

"When staff are stretched beyond capacity, and without the proper training, resources or support, it can have serious consequences for the safety and wellbeing of both staff and prisoners."

"Prison officers are not superhuman - they experience pain and distress just like everyone else. The difference is they are expected to continue like nothing has happened, which is having devastating impacts on their mental health and how they exist outside of prison when they come home to their families."

Read the report here.

ENDS

Media Contact – Stephanie O'Brien: 0435 883 909