South Australian prison officers meet today to discuss overcrowding in the state's jails after last week's riot involving inmates at Port Augusta.
Public Service Association general secretary Jan McMahon said prison officers had the right to be properly protected by their employer.
"The riot demonstrated the dangers created by overcrowding which exists across the corrections system," she said.
"Moving prisoners from one institution to another is not a solution."
Last Thursday a group of 39 prisoners at the Port Augusta jail rioted, forcing staff to withdraw.
Brandishing makeshift weapons, the prisoners smashed windows, computers and air-conditioners with a hard-core group of about 30 resisting police efforts to have then surrender for more than 24 hours.
Some balaclava-clad prisoners climbed on the compound's roof, displaying messages daubed on mattresses complaining of overcrowding and ill treatment at the jail.
The SA opposition said the riot was a response to chronic overcrowding of the state's jails.
But Deputy Premier Kevin Foley said the riot had nothing to do with overcrowding.
The government said there were currently 50 available places in the state's prison system.
