The Hume Local Area Commander dismissed The Daily Telegraph’s coverage of Saturday afternoon’s incident, labelling the reporting as “totally incorrect”.

It’s understood cans of tuna were used as weapons during the melee.

Corrective Services staff segregated seven prisoners and resorted to the use chemical munitions in response to a fight at 3pm.

While no staff were injured and none of the inmates charged over the incident, Chairman of the Prison Officers Vocational Branch, Steve McMahon, says the outbreak highlights the risk Corrective Services officials take.

He described the brawl as the worst since a 2002 ‘riot’ that injured six officers and placed the life of another in danger.

Reports from the Public Service Association indicate the weekend’s unrest occurred when prisoners were refused access to a barbecue.

“It started after a small group of inmates were denied access to a barbecue that is put on for those who behave themselves in the prison,” Mr McMahon explained.

“Those that were excluded retaliated.

“The incident does highlight just how vulnerable my members are in the workplace.

“The slogan, ‘we face what you fear’ is a simple fact of life for them.

“They proudly stand between some of the State’s most notorious criminals and the community but should not be expected to do so without adequate workers comp protection.”

Both Mr McMahon and Superintendent Dzevlan watered down reports that the incident was religiously inspired.

The Daily Telegraph, among other mastheads, suggested some prisoners who yelled “Allah Akbar” (God is great) broke through fences and had to be controlled using tear gas.

“Whatever the Telegraph reported is totally, totally incorrect,” Superintendent Dzevlan explained.

Mr McMahon agreed.

“Goulburn actually has only a small number of Muslim inmates and the disturbance had nothing to do with religion despite the media reports,” he added.

A release issued by the Corrective Services Media Unit confirmed that nearby prisoners did, in fact, yell out religious messages.

“Reports suggest inmates who were already locked in cells yelled out religious slogans to other inmates as they were being led to cells,” the release, issued on Monday, read.

Correctional Centre staff and specialist officers responded to the blue by clearing the yard and locking inmates in their cells. Four prisoners in total were treated for minor injuries.

The altercation did not occur inside the Supermax wing.

It was contained solely by prison officers.

Superintendent Dzevlan said police were notified of the event, but were not called to attend, nor investigate the matter.

The Post understands the prisoners responsible have had privileges taken away.

None of them are expected to be charged.