Anti-riot squads have been called to the infamous prison as fires break out and armed prisoners go wild – climbing on the roof of the facility
- Authorities are trying to contain a riot that erupted in a WA prison
- Ambulance crews rushed to Acacia Prison in Wooroloo at 4.30pm (AWST) on Sunday
- Dozens of prisoners have been seen throwing objects and climbing on the roof
Prisoners in a private prison east of Perth revolted, climbed onto the roof of a section of the medium-security prison and set fire to cells.
The Western Australian Ministry of Justice says officers from the Correctional Services Special Operations Group have been sent to quell unrest at Acacia Prison in Wooroloo, on the outskirts of Perth.
“There are a number of prisoners on the roof of one block of the facility and prisoners in the same block are causing damage, including setting fire to objects in their cells,” the department said in a statement on Sunday.
Ambulance crews rushed to Acacia Prison in Wooroloo at 4.30pm (AWST) on Sunday after reports of multiple fires in the facility
Police and firefighters are said to be on the scene and no injuries have been reported.
“A command center has been set up in the prison to coordinate the reaction. There is no threat to the wider community. “
The WA Prisoners’ Union says it believes the riot broke out when COVID-19 prisoners were transferred to another unit.
The union criticized Serco, who runs the prison, blaming the lack of staff for the incident.
“Acacia is the largest prison in the WA and there are no longer enough staff. But Serco has not yet called in non-duty prison officials to increase numbers during the riot, union secretary Andy Smith said in a statement.
“This situation was completely predictable due to the shocking levels of staff and poor morale and has now reached its boiling point.
“Serco must stop putting profits ahead of safety and ensure that there are enough staff to control the number of prisoners.”
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