Prisoner hospitalised after alleged assault at Townsville men’s secure unit

A secure unit within a Townsville prison was reportedly plunged into lockdown after a prisoner was allegedly assaulted.

Queensland Ambulance Service. Picture: Heidi Petith

A secure unit within a Townsville prison was reportedly plunged into lockdown after a prisoner was allegedly assaulted.

Queensland Ambulance crews were called to the secure men’s unit at Townsville Correctional Centre about 8.30am on Saturday to reports of the assault.

Paramedics assessed a 31-year-old prisoner for a head injury and he was transported to Townsville University Hospital.

As of Sunday morning, the man remained in a stable condition.

A prison source told the Bulletin the secure unit was locked down after the alleged assault.

The Townsville Correctional Centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

A Queensland Corrective Services spokeswoman said the matter would be referred to the CSIU for investigation.

“ … Therefore, it would not be appropriate to provide further details at this stage,” the spokeswoman said.

When asked how many corrective service officers were rostered on at the units, the spokeswoman said the prison was “fully staffed for its present prisoner capacity”.

“Rosters change daily, to reflect the operational requirements of the centre,” the spokeswoman said.

“As of November 23, the Townsville Men’s High Security centre had 839 built beds and there were 734 prisoners.”

Originally published as Prisoner hospitalised after alleged assault at Townsville men’s secure unit