There have been more than 18 assaults on prison officers at Banksia Hill and Unit 18 in Casuarina corrective institutes in the last 18 months.

Shadow minister for corrective services, Peter Collier, says the problem is getting worse with reports of juveniles also committing self-harm.

“You cannot in any shape or form condone [the] behaviour of some of these juveniles, particularly in regard to their … violence against the prison officers  … what we’re doing is not working,” he told Michael Genovese, filling in for Gary Adshead.

Press PLAY to hear the disturbing timeline of assaults against officers

He also says some juveniles have been held in their cells for up to 24 hours.

“I ask anyone … picture yourself in a metal cell … less than 10 square metres in size for 24 hours, that is the entire day,” he said.

CPSU Branch Secretary, Rikki Hendon, says assaults in youth prisons outstrip assaults in adult prison.

“Our members are placed at considerable risk, and we’ve been doing a lot of work in the last 12 to 18 months to reduce that risk,” she said.

Press PLAY to hear what work has been done

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