Junee prison officers return to work after statewide walkout

PRISON officers have returned to work at Junee Correctional Centre, more than 20 hours after walking off the job as part of statewide industrial action sparked by the release of an inmate accused of brutally assaulting one of their colleagues.

Corrections officers at Junee joined staff from about 30 prisons and hundreds of courts across NSW in walking off the job on Tuesday morning, August 25.

The action followed the release of a 21-year-old inmate accused of attacking a 55-year-old corrections officer at John Morony Correctional Centre near Windsor in July.

The officer sustained serious injuries, including a broken eye socket, broken nose and missing teeth.

The 55-year-old prison officer was seriously injured in the alleged attack at John Morony Correctional Centre | Image: Supplied/PSA

The 21-year-old inmate was granted bail on unrelated matters and released from custody on Monday, August 24, without being charged over the alleged attack, prompting outrage among prison officers.

The Public Service Association of NSW (PSA), which represents corrections officers, said its members were “livid” over the situation.

“A corrections officer gets bashed and left with life-changing injuries and the guy gets released back into the community without being charged? That’s outrageous,” PSA general secretary Stewart Little said.

As officers walked off the job on Tuesday, the PSA said prisoners were locked down in their cells, while inmates involved in court proceedings were transported back to prison.

Later that morning, NSW Police confirmed the 21-year-old former inmate had been arrested and charged over the alleged assault.

Police said the man was refused bail and was due to appear before court later on Tuesday.

Corrections officers returned to their posts on Wednesday morning, August 26, bringing the industrial action to an end after more than 20 hours.