Thursday, 16 September 2021
Members statements
COVID-19
COVID-19
I rise to give my thanks to staff across Victoria’s corrections and youth justice centres for their dedication and hard work through the pandemic.
Prisons and youth justice centres are challenging spaces to work in and I am proud of the passion and expertise evident in our workforce.
This has been true especially during the pandemic, with staff overseeing mandatory 14-day quarantines and extra safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID in prisons. We know that prisons are high-risk settings for COVID, making staff efforts all the more valuable. They are truly on the front line in our fight against this virus.
Members of our workforce have also rolled up their sleeves and have been to get their vaccinations in huge numbers. In fact, as of this week, 75 per cent of staff across Victoria’s correctional centres and youth justice centres have received at least their first vaccination and more than half are fully vaccinated.
To all of our staff—thank you. Your efforts are seen and recognised. Everyone in Victoria is immensely grateful for how you are keeping our community safe.
I’d also like to thank the CPSU for their efforts encouraging vaccinations to our workforce—this leadership has enabled us to keep staff, those in custody and our broader community, safe.