Department of Justice fined $300,000 over Ravenhall unrest

Corrections Victoria, which is part of the Department of Justice and Regulation, pleaded guilty today in the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court to one charge of failing to provide and maintain systems of work which were safe and without risks to health.

It was also ordered to pay costs of $14,215.

The court heard that Corrections Victoria was aware of prisoner unrest at the Ravenhall facility in the weeks leading up to a smoking ban coming into effect in Victorian prisons on July 1, 2015.

However it did not arrange to have additional specialist staff from the Security Emergency Services Group available for deployment to quickly quell any disturbance.

As a result, in the days leading up to the riot, prison staff going about general duties were left exposed to the risks of physical injury and psychological harm.

A full-scale riot involving approximately 400 prisoners broke out at the facility just before noon on June 30 when the fences separating exercise yards were breached.

Prison staff were evacuated and police brought in. The facility was secured about 3am the following morning.