5. Dr CAM CALDER (National) to the Minister of Corrections: What steps are being taken to reduce the risk of assaults on prison staff?

Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Corrections) : This Government is serious about reducing the risk faced by front-line staff. Corrections officers are managing some of the most difficult and dangerous individuals in our country. I am pleased to report that the Department of Corrections is currently providing all of its 3,000 prison staff with tactical communication training and de-escalation training. It has already trained more than a third of its staff. Staff have provided examples of situations where, as a result of this training, highly tense situations have been safely defused.

Dr Cam Calder: What else is she doing to ensure that prison staff are safe at work?

Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Tomorrow at Spring Hill Corrections Facility I will officially launch the roll-out of stab-resistant body armour, spit hoods, and batons. The department will also begin a 12-month trial of pepper spray. This equipment will help prison staff to manage hostile situations. The spit hoods will protect staff from saliva and blood, and the batons will be used by specially trained staff as a last resort. The last administration had 9 years to make prison staff safer and did nothing.