"While staff managing an incident will always use de-escalation tactics in the first instance, the amended regulations mean they will be able to consider use of pepper spray when de-escalation isn't successful, as an alternative to use of force, or in situations where there is no opportunity for staff to use de-escalation tactics."
From next month, Corrections officers can be trained in its use and be issued the spray. They would need a refresher training once a year. Security officers and other staff would not be permitted to carry it.
Corrections Association national president Alan Whitley said it was a sensible, modern step which would help reduce injuries.
"We're pleased. We've been advocating this for some time," Whitley said.
"It's time that we had something else. Needing physical force [for incidents], someone's going to get injured - sometimes it's us, sometimes it's a prisoner. It's time we moved away from that and modernise[d]."
He said there would be strong oversight and scrutiny of its use.
Corrections Minister Louise Upston said the change was to increase staff and prisoner safety.
"It is crucial that Corrections staff are able to immediately control spontaneous and potentially dangerous situations to keep themselves and prisoners safe inside prisons and during escorts," Upston says.
"Pepper spray is a safe tactical option with a lower risk of injury compared with other means of force. It adds to the range of safety measures and tools rolled out in the past few years under the Corrections staff safety programme."
