COVID lockdowns, tension and riots: Behind the walls of Queensland’s overcrowded prisons
Tensions have simmered and sometimes boiled over at correctional centres across Queensland.
Fraser Coast
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Tensions have simmered and sometimes boiled over at correctional centres across Queensland over the past 18 months as a combination of overcrowding and COVID restrictions continue to impact on prisoners and prison officers.
In the most serious cases, millions of dollars worth of damage have been caused, including at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre where a riot broke out during a Stage 4 COVID lockdown in September in which 170 cells were trashed.
During the riot, some inmates lit fires while others smashed windows and flooded their cells with water in response to deteriorating conditions at the overcrowded prison.
Also in September last year, two prison officers were taken to hospital after a riot at the Borallon Correctional Centre, west of Brisbane, in which four cells were damaged, windows were smashed and a small fire was started.
At Woodford Correctional Centre, like many others around the state, the mood was known to be volatile as the drug supply dried up due to the lack of visitors to the prison during the COVID lockdown.
In April last year, a “code black” riot over strict visitation restrictions erupted in which prisoners ripped phones off the walls, made weapons out of glass and chairs and threw urine into an officer station.
Braiddyn Robert Cleland, 23, was transferred to Maryborough Correctional Centre after the riot.
When he was sentenced in Maryborough District Court earlier this year, the public got a rare glimpse into the terrifying reality of life in prison.
Cleland was named as an active instigator in the riot, during which he threw urine at officers.
During the riot, food had been smeared onto cameras to obscure the actions of the prisoners and officers had to use gas masks and riot shields to bring the situation under control.
The damage caused at the prison totalled $33,000.
Travis George from Maryborough’s Suthers George legal firm said adding to the state’s overcrowding woes was the backlog of parole eligibility applications.
It is taking up to 10 months to consider applications, meaning prisoners are spending longer behind bars than they should be in many cases.
“I have multiple clients who lodged applications within the legislated time frames and are simply waiting to have their application heard,” Mr George said.
“The legislation sets the time limits for the board to answer and they are being ignored.”
Shadow Minister Corrective Services Dale Last has been a vocal critic of the current overcrowding at Queensland’s prisons and the “unacceptable rates of assaults on staff”.
“Management is failing because no Queenslanders are taking on the management jobs available,” he said.
Mr Last raised concerns that the overcrowding could be impacting on the decisions made by courts across the state.
“I have no doubt that overcrowding in Queensland prisons is playing a part in light court sentences and decisions on bail,” he said.
However Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan refuted this.
“The government’s tough laws have resulted in more criminals spending longer periods in prison,” he said.
“That’s why the government is making major investments to expand prison infrastructure.”
Mr Ryan said a $241 million investment that will double the capacity of Capricornia Correctional Centre near Rockhampton was almost complete.
In addition, a $650 million investment had seen the state of the construction of a new 1000 bed correctional facility near Gatton.
Queensland Corrective Services had just completed the installation of an additional 2000 bunk beds.
The Borallan Correctional Centre had also been reopened, providing an additional 700 beds.
By 2023, the government is expecting to have delivered an additional 4000 beds across the state.
“The government has also invested heavily in boosting staffing levels, employing hundreds of extra custodial officers,” Mr Ryan said.
“The government has also made significant investments in training corrections staff, so that they are now recognised as among the most comprehensively qualified custodial staff in Austral-Asia.
“In addition, front line staff have been given the latest safety equipment, including OC spray and specially designed vests.
“Unlike many correctional facilities around the rest of the world where the pandemic resulted in the deaths of many prisoners, the COVID restrictions put in place in Queensland kept prisoners safe.”
A spokesman from Queensland Correctional Services said the number of inmates in the state’s prisons fluctuated daily due to prisoners being discharged, admitted and moved between prisons.
The spokesman said initiatives were introduced to combat rising tensions during the pandemic.
That included helping prisoners keep in touch with family and friends during lockdowns, including virtual visits and prisoner email.
“Our officers do an excellent job in monitoring and managing increased tensions and there are daily statewide meetings to evaluate emerging issues,” he said.
“Our officers work very hard to identify issues and develop solutions to maximise officer safety and maintain good order in our prisons.”
The spokesman said it was not possible to say whether there had been more or less contraband in prisons during the COVID lockdowns.
“Our officers are extremely vigilant for any signs of contraband and we deploy a range of strategies to detect and seize contraband including searches, perimeter response vehicles and extremely effective passive alert drug detection dogs.
“Contraband seizures are proof that QCS’s barrier controls are working to improve the safety of Queensland prisons.”
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