An inmate has knocked a female staff member unconscious with a guitar at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, only weeks after assaulting two staff using a similar weapon.
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The woman assaulted late Wednesday afternoon was taken to Bendigo Hospital after the attack, but further details about her condition or the assault were not immediately available.
The inmate was being housed in a unit in the secure area of the centre at the time of the attack, which is being investigated by police.
Work Safe and Community and Public Sector Union representatives are expected to inspect the site in central Victoria on Thursday to determine if staff can better be protected, and if urgent improvements need to be made, a spokesman said.
"This is a situation that I find completely appalling," Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney told reporters on Thursday.
"Under no circumstances does this government accept that this sort of behaviour is appropriate in any way."
A Department of Justice and Regulation spokesperson said the incident was resolved quickly by Youth Justice staff and police were investigating.
A spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria said paramedics attended a Malmsbury address after 7pm and transported an individual to hospital.
The Opposition jumped on the latest in a string of incidents at the troubled juvenile prison, with the shadow minister for families and children, Georgie Crozier, claiming the state government had a soft approach to law and order.
“At the next election, Victorians will have a choice between more of the same on law and order from Daniel Andrews or Matthew Guy’s tougher sentencing, bail and parole laws,” she said.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the government needed to explain how the offender could have access to the guitar after the first assault.
"We need to have a full explanation into how this matter has occurred for the second time in the same circumstances," he told reporters.
"My heart and support goes out to the worker involved."
It is understood the attacker is only weeks from turning 18. The staff member is expected to have to undergo surgery for her injuries.
The assault was first reported on 3AW.