A bid by Shadow Minister Dale Last to visit Capricornia Correctional Centre has been denied

An application by Shadow Minister Dale Last to visit Capricornia Correctional Centre to see the aftermath of last month’s riots has been denied. Read what he says about the refusal.

Shadow Minister for Corrective Services Dale Last has failed in a bid to see the aftermath of the biggest prison riots in Queensland’s history.

His application refusal comes as Police and Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan is yet to visit Capricornia Correctional Centre at Rockhampton following last month’s chaotic events.

Mr Last made an application on November 15 to visit the facility on November 23 to see the aftermath of the riots, protests, fire and unrest that involved up to 70 prisoners and lasted a gruelling 16 hours last month.

Mr Last said the visit was mainly to support staff but that he also saw it as a valuable opportunity to learn from the horrific event.

“What we saw at the Capricornia Correctional Centre a few weeks ago has not only left a damage bill for taxpayers but, undoubtedly, it would have had a huge effect on the staff,” Mr Last said.

“To have prisoners potentially armed with Molotov cocktails, shotguns being issued to staff and fires in the centre is a situation that would have an impact on corrections officers regardless of their level of experience. “

Mr Last received a response on Friday afternoon, saying his request was denied due to “operational reasons”.

“It’s tempting to think that my visit was denied on political grounds,” Mr Last said.

“But I’ll play a straight bat and accept the reason as genuine because it came from the Commissioner’s office.”

“My visit was intended to support the staff who dealt with the riot itself and are still dealing with the aftermath.”

A spokesperson for Mr Ryan said all requests for visits by MPs to prison facilities were forwarded to Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) for consideration.

“Decisions on visits are made by QCS, not the Minister,” he said.

“QCS advises that these decisions are based on operational issues, needs and requirements at the facility at that time.”

A QCS spokesperson said Queensland Corrective Services always welcomed visits by elected officials interested to learn more about it operations.

“Visits are planned to ensure they don’t impact on the safety and security of the centre and operational requirements,” the spokesperson said.

“We will work with Mr Last’s office to identify a suitable date for his visit.”

Mr Ryan is yet to visit the centre following the riots but he was in the region only 24 hours before they began.

Mark Ryan at Queensland Parliament in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

This publication sent a request to Mr Ryan’s office earlier this month, asking why he hadn’t visited and received a response from Acting Minister Mark Furner that didn’t answer the question.

Mr Last said Mr Ryan not visiting the centre was “an absolute insult to staff”.

“Frankly, I would have thought that the Minister at least would have paid them a visit by now,” Mr Last said.

“If Minister Ryan had any respect for the officers at the Capricornia Correctional Centre he would have already visited them.

“There are quite a few government jets sitting in Brisbane, not far from the Minister’s office, that he could have used but obviously the staff aren’t a priority.

“Events like this can affect staff in many different ways and I would hope that support services are already in place to help them and that those support services are provided for as long as they are needed.

“If the Minister is serious about supporting staff, he will follow my lead and front up to hear from the staff directly.

“If he doesn’t, that will send a very clear message to staff in that centre and the staff in centres throughout the state.”

The denied application hasn’t deterred Mr Last.

“I made a commitment to visit that centre and that commitment hasn’t changed,” he said.

“Going there is the least I can do to support the staff and to show them the respect they deserve.”

Queensland Corrective Services has been unable to answer any requests on how the investigation is going and have deferred enquires to police, who have advised investigations are continuing.

“There have already been allegations that, prior to the incident, corrections officers were concerned that prisoners could access areas like the garden shed,” Mr Last said.

“It’s absolutely essential that officers’ concerns are heard and acted on.

“We already know that the current overcrowding is linked to increases in assaults, both on staff and on prisoners.

“Correctional Centres are difficult environments at the best of times, let alone when they are running above capacity.

“Add in an event like the recent riot and you have an already difficult environment for staff that is made that much more difficult.”