Capricornia Correctional Centre riots: Together Union files dispute

A shocking report has detailed how high security prisoners used vending machines to ram fences in the worst riots in history at Capricornia Correctional Centre in October.

High security prisoners threw soft drinks as missiles and used vending machines to ram fences while administration officers were left alone with up to 10 rioting prisoners and correctional officers sustained tear gas burns, according to a new report filed by the Together Union about the explosive 16-hour long riots at the Capricornia Correctional Centre in October.

Tensions rose at the prison north of Rockhampton around 9am on Thursday, October 21 and at the height of the unrest, up to 70 prisoners were involved, and back up staff had to be called in from Maryborough.

Extensive damage was caused to the centre after prisoners lit fires, used dangerous weapons and smashed windows, glass, buildings and officer stations.

The Together Union, which represents prison employees, has filed a dispute against Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) with the Queensland Office Industrial Relations Commission.

The Union has accused QCS of failing to follow multiple sections of the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011.

The report, filed by the Union’s Ashleigh Saunders who is based in Rockhampton, details how it believes the riot could have been prevented, or could have been on a smaller scale.

The union claims it and its members had raised a number of concerns and hazards at the Rockhampton prison in the 18 months leading up the riot, which were not acted upon with a “satisfactory resolution”.

There was previously a different fence between maximum security and the residential compound that prevented high security prisoners gaining entry into the general residential area, the report claimed.

This fence was replaced and was inadequate, allowing high security prisoners to gain access to a landscaping shed in the residential compound.

From the shed, the union claims the high security prisoners gathered and armed themselves with pickaxes, hedge trimmers, whipper snippers and other dangerous tools and equipment, along with petrol, which they made molotov cocktails with, injected, inhaled and ingested.

WHS guidelines state hazardous chemicals are to be stored properly and the Union claims the fuel was inappropriately stored in the landscaping shed and bulk store and the Workshop 1 compound had more than 50 gas bottles which were not stored safely in cages or another form.

The union claims vending machines “were not adequately secured in the high security units” and were able to be used as “battering rams to break a fence” and the prisoners used soft drinks as missiles.

During the riot, the correctional officers discharged MK9 gas, which was confirmed by QCS after the event, however the Union claims some of the officers had not been provided with the appropriate information, training or supervision about the safe use and handling of the gas.

The Together Union further claims the officers weren’t given sufficient personal protection and suffered burn marks on their skin, due to prolonged exposure to the gas.

Another risk that had been raised previously by the union was a lack of hatches – small slots in cell doors which allow officers to transfer food trays and medications into prisoner cells, in the centre.

The union claims a lack of these hatches created significant risk to officers during the lockdown.

According to the claim, administration officers were directed by management to remain in the bulk store during the riots to hand out water and uniforms to officers, located just metres from the residential compound where high security prisoners had broken into.

The administration officers were then left alone with about 10 unsupervised prisoners who were escalating.

The union claims they were forced to lock themselves inside the store with chains and exited through a back roller door, however this created a further risk for correctional officers as it limited their retreat options on the ground.

It disputes there was no emergency and evacuation procedure for administration officers who were situated in the bulk store without supervision by a correctional officer, and they had not been trained in safe emergency procedures in the event of a riot.

Still scenes at the Capricornia Correctional Centre on Friday as the prison remains in lockdown for the clean up and investigation of the 16-hour long riot the day before.

The riots came to an end when the last group of nine prisoners surrendered from the facility’s roof around 2.30am on the Friday.

The union states no alternate transport was arranged for the officers and as a result of stress and fatigue, one officer was in a car accident on the way home.

The Together Union previously called for a critical debrief with officers and employees who were present at the centre during the riot, which has been mentioned again in the dispute report.

“After the riot was under control, there was no debrief or support, including psychological support for officers and employees,” the Union claims.

It further claims counselling has not been offered and many officers and employees are fearful for their personal safety when resuming normal duties.

The union has accused QCS of failing to ensure a safe system of work and the maintenance of a safe layout of the workplace to allow persons to safely enter and exit and to move without risk to health and safety, both under normal working conditions and in an emergency.

Since the riot, the union says it has sought ongoing meetings with senior management of the centre and the department but has received no satisfactory resolution.

The union is concerned the hazards and risks as a result of the riot have not been rectified and continue to pose a serious risk to officers and employees.

The dispute application requests given the “breadth, substance and seriousness of the WHS matters that remain, Together is seeking the assistance of QRIC to meditate, conciliate or arbitrate about the matters”.

When contacted for comment, the Queensland Office of Industrial Relations advised orders were issued by the Commission and a subsequent report back conference involving the two parties.

The matter was adjourned to a date to be fixed, should a conference be required.

Unless further assistance from the Commission is required, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission will take no further action.

Queensland Corrective Services declined to comment on the matter.

“As this dispute is presently before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, it would be inappropriate and unproductive for us to discuss the specifics in the public arena,” the QCS spokesperson said.

“Officer safety is our absolute priority, and we look forward to participating in the QIRC process to work through the matters raised.”