Corrections Minister Elise Archer has disputed claims she misled the public on the situation of Tasmania's prison system.
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On Thursday, the United Workers Union called for the minister to resign following her statement there had been no series of serious assaults on corrections officers during a string of incidents in the state's prisons over the Christmas and New Year period which saw an injured officer taken to hospital.
The Tasmanian Prisoners Legal Service has since also called for the minister to resign.
PLS chairman Greg Barns said Ms Archer was high-handed and capricious in the way she dealt with prisoners.
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"Corrections Minister Archer has been cavalier with the truth about the level of assaults between Christmas and the new year. She seems to think it's okay not to be transparent about the appalling mess she has caused," Mr Barns said.
"The Hodgman government jails too many and has no interest in prisoner welfare. The solution is not new jails etc. - it is stop laws that send so many to jail."
On Friday Ms Archer told the media she had been misrepresented.
"What had been alleged was that there was a series of serious assaults against correctional officers. I never said that there were no assaults occurring over the recent Christmas/new year period at all," Ms Archer said.
"It wasn't misleading because there weren't a series of assaults against correctional officers."
When asked to define a serious assault Ms Archer declined to answer.
"I'm not going to get into a war of words today," she said.
"What I do want to say is the health and safety of both prison staff and prisoners is my highest priority."
Meanwhile, the government announced it has awarded a $2.6 million contract to Moonah-based business BSH for the upgrade of the electronic security system and associated building works at the Hobart Reception Prison.
"The works will enhance security and safety for staff, prisoners and visitors at the [prison] through the installation of new contraband-control equipment and an upgrade to all major security systems," Ms Archer said.
"The upgrade will also support the services provided by correctional staff to Tasmania Police through the police watch house within the [prison] as well as providing increased surveillance within the watch house."