Sinks torn off walls as Adelaide prisoners riot over ongoing lockdowns

Yatala Labour Prison has experienced several lockdowns this year due to COVID-19 staffing issues, leading to prisoner frustrations, which escalated on Saturday.

A 9News exclusive look into the prison found sinks torn off walls and metal sheeting ripped from cells.

Pictures show an entire wing filled with clutter and debris, graffiti scrawled on the walls and multiple flooded toilets.

No one was injured during the protest but it has prompted safety concerns for both staff and inmates. The prison guards’ union is calling for an urgent review.

Natasha Brown from the Public Service Association said the incident wasn’t isolated.

“Due to a lack of staffing, unfortunately lockdowns — which were previously a rare occurrence — are becoming more and more common,” she said.

“Unless the understaffing issue is addressed we’re going to see more lockdowns and more prisoner disturbances as a result.”