Great Southern Prison Officers honoured for bravery

8/6/00
Prison officers from the Great-Southern who have shown bravery and extraordinary commitment in the line of duty were honoured today (June 8) at the inaugural Prison Service Bravery Awards at Government House.
Attorney General Peter Foss presented one of only two Bravery Medals awarded in the last 18 year period, the highest and most prestigious of all distinctions, to Albany Regional Prison Officer Anthony Daniels.
Five officers from Pardelup Prison Farm were all awarded a Director General's Letter of Commendation.
Mr Foss said Officer Daniels showed outstanding bravery by putting his life on the line to prevent an escape by violent prisoners, which could have compromised the security of the entire prison.
The Minister said there was a real threat to the officer's life during the attempted escape at Albany Regional Prison in March 1994.
Officer Daniels was viciously attacked and stabbed four times in the back by two prisoners intent on escape. The prisoners were demanding keys to a truck, but Officer Daniels held back the keys despite the continued attack by the prisoners with knives and a mop.
He held the two prisoners at bay until other officers could respond despite the prisoners continuing their attack with a mop and knife. His steadfast resolve prevented the prisoners from taking the truck and breaking through the perimeter.
Five Pardelup Prison Farm Officers - Darryl Foster, Darren Hawes, Gregory Lee, Willem Roth, and Alan Rudd - were all awarded a Director General's Letter of Commendation.
These officers dealt heroically with a knife-wielding prisoner during November last year.
The prisoner broke into the duty room, threatened staff and caused extensive damage to the surrounds. The officers contained the situation for more than an hour before another prisoner helped them disarm the man.
The Director General's Letter of Commendation is awarded to prison-based employees whose actions in 1998-99 demonstrated a dedication to duty that publicly reflects credit on the individual and the Ministry of Justice; devotion to duty on operational issues above that normally expected, outstanding commitment in the performance of duty or outstanding initiative and use of resources.
Mr Foss said the awards highlighted the actions of outstanding men and women who had performed exceptionally under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
"Day after day these officers protect the Western Australian community and provide for the care and well being of prisoners," he said.
"Most of us will go through our working lives without ever being called upon to show extraordinary bravery, but the prison environment is a volatile one and these men and women had both the opportunity and the personal fortitude to earn these prestigious awards.
"Public recognition and thanks for these exceptional acts of bravery is long overdue."
The inaugural awards were presented in four categories to 115 prison officers from throughout the State.
Two Bravery Medals and 15 Meritorious Service Medals were awarded for acts of bravery dating back to 1982 while the Certificates of Commendation and the Director General's Letter of Commendation were awarded for commitment and dedication displayed in 1998-99.
Media contact : Danielle van Kampen - 9321 2222