Public Service Association (PSA) members in the NSW correctional system are emailing their MPs to get the State Government to take the safety of staff in prisons more seriously.

Corrective Services NSW staff throughout the state walked off the job last week after a magistrate imposed a three-year Community Correction Order on an inmate who had assaulted four staff at Cessnock Correctional Centre. Two of the staff attacked will not return to work.

This follows recent attacks on Officers involving spit and urine, all of which resulted in what the PSA believes to be inadequate sentencing.

“The PSA is tired of prison staff being used as punching bags and is demanding the State Government takes a stronger stand against inmates who assault the workers who run our prisons,” said President of the union Nicole Jess, herself a Senior Correctional Officer.

Members have been urged to contact both their own local member, as well as members of the NSW upper house to lobby the State Government to ensure assaults on prison staff result in adequate penalties.  

The letter-writing campaign follows last week’s walk out, which attracted extensive media coverage, including an interview with Nine (pictured).