“When officers attended that cell fire there was riotous behaviour that commenced in another area of the prison. “From the information I've got to date there was some degree of planning in relation to this incident. “That riot took many hours to contain and it wasn't contained until the early hours of this morning. “It's my understanding prisoners did get access to restraints equipment including chem agents... I have heard reports that bricks and projectiles were being launched at officers, and missing heads narrowly. “We've got very experienced special operation groups members who came up to assist from Perth and they are describing this as the worst incident they have been involved in, and they are surprised no one was killed.

“We've seen staff control rooms - supposedly a secure area for staff - smashed, destroyed and in one case fully burnt out. “There were bricks, debris... my understanding is prisoners got access to maintenance equipment and angle grinders. “They were essentially looking to get into unit four, which is the female unit, and using cordless angle grinders to do so, and they did so successfully.” The Department of Corrective Services now have a significant presence in the state's Mid West. Credit:Andrew Meares When asked if female prisoners had been assaulted during the riot, Mr Ledingham was reluctant to confirm if any specific incidents occurred.

“I'll leave that for others to comment but if you've got a situation, riotous behaviour that goes for 10 to 12 hours in a prison under the cover of darkness where males and females are concerned, I think anyone's imagination may lead them to think that there were things going on.” It’s understood an extensive investigation is now underway to find the cause, and the union is carefully monitoring officers who sustained minor injuries during the riot. Four out of the six units at the prison have been destroyed, and Mr Ledingham said he didn’t expect the prison to return to full capacity until repairs were carried out. Currently, the rooms that are designed for just one prisoner will now need to house seven inmates. “There are now four units within Greenough Regional Prison that can't be used and will be out of action for some time. That is going to place additional pressure on the system which is already at bursting point.

While alarmed, Mr Ledingham said the union was not surprised the prison break occurred. “When staffing levels are low prisoners are locked up in cells for longer, with reduced access to programs and prison industry work. This creates frustration and eventually leads to serious incidents." The union claims the facility has been running "overcrowded and understaffed for the best part of the year" and wants the state government to meet agreed staffing levels there and at other facilities across WA. Only 35-year-old Bradley Silvester, top row in the middle, remains on the run. Credit:WA Police