A recent cocaine bungle and several alleged assaults have led the union representing SA Correction Officers to renew calls to de-privatise an Adelaide prison, with the Public Service Association, urging all major parties contesting the state election to return the prison to public control.
In January an inmate from Adelaide Remand Centre transferred to Yatala Prison was found in possession of 10g of cocaine.
The incident is the latest in a string of alleged events at ARC run by foreign owned multinational prison operator Serco.
In a response to The Wire, Corrections Minister Rhiannon Pearce said government is committed to ensuring all prisons operate with the safety and security of prisoners and staff as the utmost priority, also affirming if re-elected, the Malinauskas government will continue monitoring the performance of government contractors.
“Assault on staff is completely unacceptable and is reported to SAPOL,” Pearce said.
Pearce has disputed claims around staffing numbers saying the department affirmed to her staffing levels remained at appropriate levels.
Image: Image provided by Public Service Association
Produced By: Emma Wotzke
Featured In Story: Charlotte Watson – Public Service Association General Secretary, and
First aired on The Wire, Thursday 5 March 2026