Gas was deployed on prisoners at Goulburn Jail on Thursday to help end a five hour protest.
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A Corrective Services spokesperson said the unrest broke out in the maximum security area at about 2pm when a number of inmates refused to obey directions to leave their yards as scheduled.
Yelling and banging could be heard from the outside. Inside, prisoners climbed on shade sales in a disturbance that occurred across several maximum security yards.
They also threw canned food at prison officers and lit several small fires.
"About 5pm, gas was deployed in one of the yards to remove approximately 12 inmates, who were then safely returned to their cells," a spokesperson said.
"By 6.45 pm, the majority of involved inmates had complied with directions and were safely returned to their cells."
During that time, Security Operations Group officers, who are trained Corrective Services negotiators, entered the complex with dogs.
The Department said at 7pm chemical munitions were used to secure five remaining inmates who had failed to comply with directions.
An inmate and officer were treated onsite for minor injuries.
On Tuesday, no charges had been laid, however, the investigation was ongoing.
Tensions had been running high at the prison in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, chairperson of the Prison Officers Vocational Branch (POVB) of the Public Service Association Nicole Jess said.
Both said the disturbance at Goulburn was brought under control reasonably quickly because there were enough staff on.
Commissioner Peter Severin praised the officers who dealt with the protest.
"Corrective Services officers face a difficult job each day in managing some of the most challenging people and situations," Mr Severin said in a statement.
"Our officers are highly trained to respond to these incidents and I commend the Goulburn officers and the Security Operations Group for their skilful handling of this situation."
"It was managed carefully and professionally, without injuries to staff."
Despite the Commissioner's praise, the Prison Officers Vocational Branch has raised ongoing concerns about staffing levels and safety threats to members at Goulburn Jail.
It sparked a March, 2019 strike when more than 200 staff walked off the job.
6pm Thursday
The Security Operations Group with several dogs have entered Goulburn Jail at 5.30pm and an ambulance followed at 6pm following reports earlier in the day of an inmate disturbance.
A Corrective Services spokeswoman said a number of inmates were still refusing to obey directions.
Yelling, banging, whistling and police dogs could be heard barking inside the jail from outside.
4.15pm Thursday
Corrective Services says the disturbance at Goulburn Jail is under control but is yet to release further details.
A spokesperson said all inmates were contained in the yards and accounted for, but a number were refusing to obey directions. There had been no damage to property.
"Correctional officers and the region's Security Operation Group are managing the situation," she said.
An ambulance remained on standby.
2.15pm Thursday
Police were assisting correctional services officers with an inmate disturbance at Goulburn Correctional Centre on Thursday afternoon.
The disturbance began around 2pm and yelling could be heard outside from inside the jail.
Detectives in police cars and a police van arrived at the jail from around 2.30pm.
Two police cars were seen leaving the jail at 3pm.
A fire engine and ambulance arrived at 3.15pm but had not entered the jail. Paramedics were on standby, a NSW Ambulance media spokeswoman said.
Goulburn Correctional Centre is a maximum/minimum security institution for males.
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