Prisoner dies at Rockhampton Hospital after assault at Capricornia Correctional Centre, year after major riots at facility

A prisoner has died after being rushed to hospital following an assault at Central Queensland’s major correctional facility, exactly one year after the worst riots the prison had seen.

A prisoner has died after succumbing to serious injuries following an alleged assault inside a major Central Queensland correctional facility.

The 31-year-old man was hospitalised following an alleged assault at the Capricornia Correctional Centre on Saturday morning which left him with serious head injuries.

Tragically, he died at Rockhampton Hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Detectives from the Corrective Services Investigation Unit were already investigating the assault but now the Homicide Investigation Unit and Regional Investigators will assist to determine precisely what unfolded at the Centre resulting in the fatality.

Police and paramedic crews first attended the scene following calls for assistance about 10.30am Saturday.

Capricornia Correctional Centre at Rockhampton. Picture: Vanessa Jarrett

The 31-year-old prisoner was transported to Rockhampton Hospital in a serious condition with head injuries following the incident.

Queensland Corrective Services revealed the injured man was located by QCS officers on Saturday morning.

The man who had sustained injuries was located by QCS officers on Saturday morning.

“CPR commenced immediately, an ambulance was called and the man was transported to hospital where he passed away this afternoon,” a QCS spokesperson said.

“Queensland Police Service was notified of the incident and we are assisting them with the matter.

“Our condolences go to the man’s family and friends.

“As the matter is under investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

“QCS is providing support to officers at Capricornia Correctional Centre.”

Grim incident falls on anniversary of major riot

The incident occurred exactly one year after a major riot at the facility which has been labelled the most significant in its history.

Prisoners allegedly caused $1.1 million in damage to the prison in the riots, which allegedly broke out about 9am on October 22 when maximum-security inmates were told to return to their cells as the staff were having a union meeting.

Inside a maximum security unit at Capricornia Correctional Centre. Picture: Supplied

The prisoners didn’t want to go back in and one allegedly threw a crate at a correctional officer and unrest quickly fired up as the group allegedly broke into other secure units, gained access to the garden shed and more prisoners joined from the residential units.

The prisoners allegedly had power tools from the shed and were allegedly using petrol to make molotov cocktails, as well as injecting, ingesting and inhaling it.

At one stage, they allegedly used a vending machine to ram a fence.

Fires were lit, officer stations destroyed, pipes pulled out, cameras smashed, soft drinks thrown as missiles, property was defaced with graffiti and more in a trail of destruction.

Maximum security unit at Capricornia Correctional Centre

As a result of the damage, about 180 secure cells and 150 residential cells couldn’t be used.The prisoners didn’t want to go back in and one allegedly threw a crate at a correctional officer and unrest quickly fired up as the group allegedly broke into other secure units, gained access to the garden shed and more prisoners joined from the residential units.

About 64 prisoners, aged between 19 and 42, were each charged with one count of riot or mutiny – unlawfully damages/destroys/attempts to damage or destroy property over the alleged incident and are still facing court.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga reflected on the anniversary in a social media post, revealing staff at the prison were set to receive major awards for their response to the riots.

“Twelve months ago today the worst riot in Queensland‘s history broke out at the Capricornia Correctional Centre. The standoff lasted for 16 hours with the 45 prisoners causing millions of dollars of damage to over 300 cells,” Ms Lauga said.

“QCS Custodial Correctional Officers worked tirelessly to quell the riotous behaviour, putting their personal safety on the line to perform critical work in a highly dynamic and volatile environment.

“I want to thank the QCS Officers, on behalf of the community, for their work during this riot (and all other times) to help keep our community safe.

“Today I’m proud that the Commissioner for Corrections has announced that the Commissioner’s Unit Citation will be awarded to those staff who were directly involved in quelling riotous behaviour through the tactical emergency response on 21 October and/or 22 October 2021 at the Capricornia Correctional Centre.

“This is only the second time that the Commissioner’s Unit Citation has been awarded to staff.”