The public sector union says staffing numbers were a contributing factor in an alleged attack on two workers at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre on Saturday night, despite the Victorian government publicly saying staffing wasn’t an issue.

Police are investigating the alleged assault of two workers at the correctional facility, 100 kilometres north-west of Melbourne.

A Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) spokesperson said one of the workers was attacked from behind when he was left by himself as guards moved offenders through the facility.

Staffing numbers ‘a contributing factor’, union says

But the Victorian government has claimed staffing numbers were not an issue in the alleged attack.

In August last year, the Department of Justice permanently closed a unit two young men escaped from.

The following month, six staff were assaulted, and several were injured in a brawl, which broke out in the high-security Latrobe unit.

In the wake of the alleged attack, the CPSU claimed there were no consequences for assaulting workers.

“There has never been a prosecution launched of any offender for assaulting a worker and the Department’s comments are wilfully misleading on consequences,” they said.

Ambulance Victoria said a man in his 50s was taken to Bendigo hospital with injuries to his upper body.

The Department of Justice said any inmates who assaulted youth justice workers would serve an additional sentence on top of an existing period of detention if convicted.

“Violence toward staff is totally unacceptable. [Saturday] night’s incident was contained quickly and Victoria Police is now investigating,” a government spokesperson said.

“Laws are now in place that strengthen consequences for young people who assault youth justice custodial workers, including a presumption that if convicted, they will serve the additional sentence on top of an existing period of detention.”

WorkSafe Victoria has been contacted for comment.