Workers at Cessnock Correctional Centre, in the NSW Hunter region, and Bathurst Correctional Centre, west of Sydney, are striking after a local court gave Cameron Welsh a "slap on the wrist".
Welsh assaulted four prison officers at the Cessnock prison in an incident earlier in 2025, with all four taken to hospital and two left unable to work again.
But on Wednesday, a magistrate did not add extra time to the 26-year-old's current sentence, leaving prison workers incensed and concerned over their safety.
"This tells the community it's OK to bash prison officers, that you won't be punished if you do and you'll be able to return to the community," Public Service Association president Nicole Jess said.
"In giving Mr Welsh a slap on the wrist this magistrate has delivered a slap in the face to every prison officer in this state who keep our community safe."
Workers in other prisons are also expected to walk off the job in a move that could paralyse local, district and supreme courts.
The jails have been secured and are operating with a reduced number of staff.
NSW Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said an urgent hearing at the Industrial Relations Commission on Thursday was expected to resolve the issue.
"While I understand staff are angry, a decision of the independent judiciary is not a basis for industrial action," he said.
"The government values the hard work of correctional officers, often in difficult and hostile circumstances.Â
"Correctional officers deserve to be safe on the job."
Welsh received a three-year community corrections order after he was convicted of four counts of assaulting a law enforcement officer and one count of intimidating with the intent to cause fear or physical harm.
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