Court cases will be delayed and prisoners will spend the day largely in lockdown as NSW Corrective Services officers strike over a potential murder charge against one of their colleagues.
Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little says prison officers across the state will strike from 6am on Friday for 24 hours.
"They'll be on strike in protest against a decision by the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) to bring a charge of murder against one of our members," Mr Little said on Thursday.
A Corrective Services officer was initially charged in February last year over the 2019 shooting death of an inmate near Lismore Base Hospital.
The officer pleaded not guilty in February this year and was due to face trial for manslaughter in October.
The charge is set to be upgraded, however.
"All the available evidence in this matter, including newly subpoenaed material, has been reviewed in preparation for the upcoming trial, and the director has determined that the appropriate charge is one of murder," an Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions spokesperson told AAP on Thursday.
Mr Little says members are furious and confused about the upgraded charge, more than three years after the shooting.
A 43-year-old Wiradjuri man had been taken into custody that day after being denied bail over assault charges, and appeared to have an epileptic seizure in the cells at Lismore Local Court.
He was taken by ambulance to hospital by two officers and was discharged about 7.30pm after being treated.
He was handcuffed and shackled as he was being escorted back to a prison van when he elbowed an officer and ran off.
As he fled, the man was allegedly shot in the back and died from a single gunshot wound.
Mr Little said officers are worrying over the next time they are armed with a weapon while escorting a prisoner in the community.
"Obviously the events have led us now to bring into question how we will use those weapons and how those weapons will be deployed," Mr Little said.
"The government needs to absolutely come out and support the very difficult and dangerous work that they do.
"Our union stands with this officer and we will defend this officer."
The statewide stoppage on Friday will affect all areas of the correctional system, and will involve more than 5000 workers.
Commissioned officers, who are more senior, will be deployed on site to cover basic needs.
Prisoner transports will not take place, and court cases could be delayed due to a limited capacity for audio-visual links from prisons.
People wanting to visit an inmate will also have to wait until after the strike.
A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman said all prisons will continue to operate securely.
"During this period all essential services will be maintained," the spokeswoman said.
Corrective Services is also taking legal action.
"We are seeking the assistance of the Industrial Relations Commission to return staff to work," the spokeswoman said.
Corrections Minister Geoff Lee declined to answer questions sent by AAP on Thursday.
Australian Associated Press
