Geelong Advertiser
GEELONG, Australia — When father-of-three Robert McNally reached for the hand of a violent prisoner armed with a makeshift knife, he never imagined he’d be awarded for his bravery.
The only Barwon Prison officer in the immediate vicinity, Mr McNally wrestled the man and saved another prisoner from serious injury or death, while suffering minor injuries of his own in July 2013.
Corrections Minister Edward O’Donohue presented the Corio prison guard with the Medal of Valour at Parliament House yesterday — the first to be awarded in eight years.
Mr McNally said the award wasn’t just for him but for all the prison staff that work day in and day out to keep facilities safe.
“I was out the front of my unit in the prison when I noticed two prisoners began to start arguing. One went to punch the other when he pulled out a large shiv — a large knife — and started to try and stab the other,” he said.
“By that time the incident had moved to the tennis court and I had hold of the prisoner’s hand, trying to keep him away before we fell over and I was kicked.
“It was hectic for a little while but despite seeing the size of the knife he had I just thought I couldn’t see this other bloke, despite being a prisoner himself, be injured.
“At the time I was responding to the incident, I had no idea it would turn into this.
“I was just doing my job.”
Full story: Barwon prison officer awarded bravery medal after forcing knife from prisoner’s hand at Lara facility