PRISON CLASH OVER DRUG TRADE

A BATTLE over control of the drug trade in Mobilong jail sparked a
violent clash yesterday.

A prison officer suffered an ankle injury after an inmate began
hurling billiard balls and threatening other prisoners with a pool cue
just before l0am in the common room of a cell block.

The incident prompted the Public Service Association to call for an
urgent review of the guidelines for downgrading the security status of
inmates.

Yesterday's brawl forced a lockdown and full search of the jail for
weapons, and drugs.

It is understood one of the prisoners involved was transferred to the
low-to-medium security jail from the high security Yatala Labor Prison
less than two months ago.

A prison source said yesterday's flare-up followed a month-long battle
between two groups of inmates for control of the drug trade inside
Mobilong jail.

The source said the fight escalated two weeks ago when an inmate was
stabbed and bashed - allegedly on the orders of another prisoner.

"Basically what's happened is that the rest of the prison population
has turned against (a prisoner) and he wanted out. That's what this
morning was all about," the source said.

A spokesman for Correctional Services said yesterday's search had
uncovered a can of mace and that it would continue until the jail was
"deemed to be clean".

The spokesman said four prisoners, believed to be the ringleaders in
the factional dispute, were due to be transferred from Mobilong to
Yatala last night.

PSA assistant general secretary, Mr Rod Morrison, said one of the
prisoners involved was known to have been involved in the drug trade
at Yatala.

A prisoner has been reported with assault over the
incident.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady