Guards assaulted as prisoners lit fires

Five prison guards were allegedly assaulted after inmates ran riot at Albany Regional Prison lighting fires and causing close to $15,000 damage.

The riot, on March 22, led to three prisoners being charged with a total of 19 offences as details were revealed for the first time in Albany Magistrate’s Court.

The significant damage bill was caused after CCTV, fridges, televisions, toasters, lights and windows were damaged and mattresses, sheets and clothing were set on fire. One prisoner faces five counts of assaulting a public officer, criminal damage by fire, criminal damage and endangering the life health and safety of a person.

Four of the five officers were also allegedly assaulted by the second inmate, who appeared via video link from Casuarina Prison.

The prisoners have been relocated after appearing for the first time in court via video link from Hakea and Casuarina prisons last Thursday.

The court heard one prisoner allegedly armed himself with a metal bar and faces four counts of assaulting a public officer, being armed to cause fear, criminal damage by fire, criminal damage and endangering the life, health or safety of a person.

The third offender faces one count each of criminal damage by fire, criminal damage, and endangering the life, health or safety of a person.

The charges of criminal damage by fire will eventually be heard in the district court, but at least one prisoner would have his sentence expire before then, the court was told.

The Department of Corrective Services did not respond to questions before time of print.