Brisbane prison guard under investigation for stalking colleague

After a month that has seen a prison guard bashed and corruption allegations, Queensland’s prison system is at the centre of fresh controversy after an officer was accused of harassment by a colleague.

QUEENSLAND’S prison system is at the centre of fresh controversy after a male guard was allowed to work with a female colleague despite her harassment complaints against him.

The Brisbane Correctional Centre officer is under investigation by the Queensland Corrective Service after the female guard complained he had made fake social media profiles to harass her.

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Fresh allegations have emerged the man left his post at the facility’s detention unit to find the woman while they were on shift together.

The unit is used for high-risk offenders who have misbehaved, or are on suicide watch.

Despite the investigation, the officer has been allowed to continue working with the woman for three months.

It is understood she claims to have endured the man’s harassment for four months before making a complaint in September.

As of this week, the pair were still working together.

Brisbane Correctional Centre at Wacol. Picture: Bruce Long

Sources close to the investigation said the situation was “intolerable” for the young female officer. “This poor girl has to see him every day,” one source said.

A guard also raised concerns that the man’s behaviour put the safety of colleagues at risk. In a statement, QCS said anyone with information about the allegations should report them to the Ethical Standards Unit or the Crime and Corruption Commission.

“The safety of all our officers is our No. 1 priority …” the statement reads. “The allegations raised are very serious.”

The revelations come amid a widening crisis in Queensland jails.

Prison guards at Woodford Correctional Centre, north of Brisbane, walked off the job last week following the serious assault of a male guard.

They demanded action on overcrowding and called for extra resources.

The CCC is also investigating complaints about misconduct within the prison system, including allegations of guards smuggling steroids into jails for inmates and a severe bullying culture.