Prisons experience staff “challenges“

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Liam McNally

GEO Group Australia, which runs the Ravenhall Correctional Facility, has admitted it is experiencing “staffing challenges”.

Ravenhall is a medium security prison located near the Western Highway, Ravenhall in the City of Melton. It has the capacity to house over 1300 prisoners.

A GEO Group spokesperson said that “like many businesses and industries impacted by COVID-19, GEO is also experiencing staffing challenges”.

“GEO’s commitment to the safety and security of Ravenhall Correctional Centre – our staff, prisoners and visitors – is our top priority,” the spokesperson said.

“Ravenhall Correctional Centre continuously recruits to ensure adequate levels of staffing are maintained for a safe and secure environment.”

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson confirmed that staffing pressures are occurring at prisons across Australia.

“Like many industries, we are managing staffing pressures at some of our medium security prisons and are putting in place appropriate arrangements to ensure the safety, security and good order of the system,” the spokesperson said.

“The safety and wellbeing of our staff and prisoners is our highest priority. Corrections Victoria regularly reviews and updates our operational arrangement across the state to ensure the needs of staff and prisoners are met.

“We are continuing to recruit new corrections staff where there are vacancies.”

GEO Group encouraged anyone interested in working in the corrections industry to visit its careers page. Details: geogroup.com.au/careers/