Staff Injured in Detainee Rioting at Port Hedland
Media Release - DPS 79/2003
Four detention centre staff have been injured in overnight rioting by a group of detainees at the Port Hedland immigration detention facility.
Two staff members sustained suspected spinal injuries when they were struck by pieces of concrete thrown by detainees. The other two staff sustained grazes and other minor injuries as a result of missiles being thrown.
Up to 20 detainees scaled the roof of the centre's dining hall at various stages between 3pm and 9.30pm last night (WA time) taking with them pieces of concrete, rocks, broken pipe and other materials to be used as weapons.
It is understood the catalyst for the incidents was the arrival of a group of year 8 students whose request to visit had been previously denied. A teacher representing the group had been informed in writing in November that the visit could not occur because the handover of the centre to the new services provider was currently underway. Visits have continued for relatives and other people who regularly visit the centre.
The teacher ignored the letter and brought her students from Mandurah Catholic College, south of Perth, to Port Hedland. It is understood that trouble began at the centre when the detainees were informed by an outside party that the students had arrived but would not be allowed into the centre.
Two detainees initially assaulted an officer with a stick, these two and two other detainees then scaled the roof. Other male detainees soon joined this group taking the number to more than 20 at one stage.
This group on the roof fluctuated in number until 9.30pm last night when all detainees safely came down off the roof. A number of the rioters are currently in the centre's management and support unit.
WA Police assisted in restoring order to the centre and were present throughout much of the rioting.
Tear gas was employed at one stage to quell the riot and to avoid further injuries to staff and avoid injuries to detainees.
During the disturbance an officer was assaulted and had his radio stolen which was used to block emergency communications.
The centre is currently calm.
The centre has sustained damage to fences and gates, windows were broken and rubbish was strewn widely.
Detainees involved have been medically checked. Some sustained minor self-inflicted injuries which have been treated on-site. The two staff with suspected spinal injuries remain at a local hospital.
5 December 2003
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