A prison riot that started over a smoking ban and caused $12 million worth of damage in 2015 has now led to Victoria's justice department being charged by WorkSafe.
It's alleged the department failed to maintain safe systems of work and a safe workplace, and also exposed people other than employees to health and safety risks, during the June 2015 riot at the Ravenhall Metropolitan Remand Centre.
"WorkSafe understands the significant public interest in the details surrounding this matter," the authority said in a statement on Thursday.
"However, as it is now before the court, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time."
The riot started a day before a prison smoking ban was due to come into effect.
Dozens of masked inmates armed with sticks lit fires and roamed the grounds during the incident with more than 100 inmates subsequently charged over their involvement.
A spokesman for Gayle Tierney - the government's fourth corrections minister in two years - said much had been done to fix problems at Ravenhall since the riot.
"The well-being of prison staff is our priority, and senior management continue to work with staff to make sure they feel safe and secure in the workplace," the spokesman told AAP.
"Since last year, Corrections Victoria has implemented a range of new safety measures including additional staff training and improved emergency preparedness and response capability."
Community and Public Sector Union secretary Karen Batt hopes the charges will make Corrections Victoria more accountable
"(It) may also go some small way towards an acknowledgement that there were measures that could have been taken to prevent the serious ramifications from the riot," Ms Batt said in a statement.
"(This) should serve as a general warning to those in treasury, who preach private builds, that their model has severe flaws and there is a safety and human cost when these are overlooked."
Opposition corrections spokesman Ed O'Donohue argues Labor can't be trusted to manage the state's prisons.
"Hardworking prison staff and justice employees deserve a safe workplace and it has been alleged that Daniel Andrews has failed to do so," Mr O'Donohue said.
The justice department is due to face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court for a filing hearing on January 18.
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