All Queensland prisons close doors to visitors in line with state lockdown

All Queensland prisons have been closed to visitors as the state grapples with the growing coronavirus crisis.

All Queensland prisons have been closed to visitors as the state grapples with the growing coronavirus crisis.

The decision, announced by Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) this morning, comes as millions of Queenslanders from various parts of the state are plunged into a three day lockdown.

The Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, west of Brisbane, is one of the prisons that is shut during Queensland’s lockdown. Picture: Dan Peled.

In a statement, QCS said the Stage 3 restrictions affects all high and low risk security prisons across the state.

QCS has not indicated when the cancellation will lift – or if it will end when the three day lockdown is due to lift.

“Queensland Corrective Services will continue to work closely with Queensland Health, and as soon as we are advised it is safe to recommence visits, we will do so,” a statement from QCS said.

“We appreciate the impact of cancelling visits, and thank families for their patience as we work to keep COVID-19 out of our centres.”

All staff must now wear masks at correctional centres, while all Community Corrections are also impacted under the Stage 3 changes.

QCS has advised that anyone required to attend their offices should instead contact their case manager to organise alternative arrangements,

For more information, visit the Queensland Corrective Services website.