‘Robust plan’ vital to keeping officers, inmates safe in ‘overcrowded’ Qld jails

A taskforce has been established and contingency plans are in place as Queensland’s prison system prepares for the impact of a coronavirus outbreak.

A PRISON taskforce has been established to deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on Queensland’s overcrowded jail system.

Queensland Corrective Services said several prison officers and inmates had been tested for COVID-19 but it was not aware of any positive results.

Health Minister slams ‘selfish’ panic buyers as Qld records seven new coronavirus cases

Queensland Police suspend roadside breath and drug testing ‘immediately’

Restrictions are in place at a number of Queensland prisons due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The taskforce will lead operational planning as the unprecedented health crisis continues to unfold.

According to briefings provided to Together Union contingency plans include dealing with reduced staffing.

This could see a staged reduction in operations down to minimum levels of staff required for feeding and medicating inmates.

Procedures to deal with outbreaks in prisons are also in development.

Together Union director Michael Thomas said robust plans were critical to keep officers and inmates safe.

“Correctional centres present a real risk in terms of the COVID-19 virus getting into centres and then being quickly spread because of the number of movements in and out of prison and the close confinement within prison centres which is exacerbated by the current overcrowding,” he said.

“It is absolutely a concern. Like everywhere COVID-19 is going to get into centres and it’s really important they have robust plans in place so it doesn’t wreak havoc.”

It comes as coronavirus containment measures in Italy, which has been hit hard by the pandemic, sparked a violent prison riot that left six dead last week.

The taskforce, which includes a PhD holder with a background in pandemic research, was established in anticipation of COVID-19 being declared a pandemic.

A Corrective Services spokeswoman said officer safety was a top priority.

“All of our centres have reviewed and tested their business continuity plans, and we have developed concepts of operations for every part of our agency,” she said.

“The safety and security of our prisons is an absolute priority, and we have put significant effort into developing contingency planning to ensure this.”

Restrictions on visits include people who have travelled overseas in the last fortnight or have been in close contact with someone who has. Last week COVID-19 containment measures sparked a deadly prison riot in Italy.

The state’s two youth detention centres in Brisbane and Townsville are also stepping up precautions.

“Youth Justice is experienced in dealing with easily transferable health risks and has well developed plans to deal with infectious diseases like COVID-19,” a spokeswoman said.

“All decisions regarding the health of young people in detention are informed by Queensland Health advice.”

No young people in detention have yet been tested for coronavirus and there had been no exposure at either detention centres, she said.