Townsville Correctional Centre on verge of riot, says prison officer
A prison officer has warned that severe understaffing issues at Townsville Correctional Centre are about to reach boiling point. Here’s why.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Townsville prison officer says the Townsville Correctional Centre could be on the verge of a riot, with inmates acutely aware of understaffing.
A source has told the Townsville Bulletin the prison was regularly understaffed, but it will “continue to operate” as normal.
He told the Townsville Bulletin that text messages come through daily asking for staff to work, and a significant number of prison officers are on WorkCover because they are mentally and physically exhausted.
The source said the workplace was “toxic” and there were “double standards”.
“The crims can see it, they watch us watch them,” he said. “They know when we’re starting to get understaffed.”
One prisoner told the prison guard once they knew officers’ routines and how many staff the centre was “under” on a night shift.
“’You could call a code, and we could outrun youse (sic)’,” the source said the prisoner told him.
“They could overtake the jail at night time.”
This is not the first time staffing issues at the prison have been raised with the Townsville Bulletin.
Last month, a group of prison guards raised concerns about the workplace, describing a “toxic” culture. They also said severe under staffing was impacting the operation of the prison.
They said the residential units were at 167 per cent capacity, with only 13 officers and one supervisor working across the whole jail at night.
However, Queensland Corrective Services rejected these claims, saying the centre was “fully staffed for the prison capacity”.
The source said the prisoners used the understaffing to their advantage.
“Something big is going to happen and it will happen,” he said.
“Something is going to happen and I don’t want to be there the day it goes down.”
The source said it wouldn’t be difficult for one or two inmates to overpower one guard and get the keys to the other cells.
He said in some cases, when officers had no option but to use force against prisoners, they were “assumed guilty” of doing the wrong until it was proven they were found innocent.
“They take the crims word over ours until the investigation comes out,” he said.
They added that a number of inmates involved in the prison riots in the South East had been transferred to Townsville Correctional Centre
“They’re shifting the problem, who is going to get these bad crims, or these bikies or these gang members,” he said.
The source added when prisoners are sentenced for assaults against correctional centre staff, the punishment is never enough.
After one assault, the source said he tried to kill himself and was “lucky” he was found in time.
He said multiple issues at the prison had a cumulative impact on him, and coupled with a lack of support from management, led him to make the decision.
“I got to a point where no one was listening and it was the only option I had at the time,” he said.
A Queensland Corrective Services spokeswoman said the organisation had a “well-established” internal channel that could be used to express concerns about operational matters.
They said though this, the matters can be raised and addressed in a timely and meaningful manner.
The spokeswoman reiterated that it was fully staffed for capacity.
“This includes daily and weekly meetings,” the spokeswoman said.
“No issues have been raised through this process regarding staffing levels. Any officer with concerns is encouraged to raise them with their supervisor or manager to allow the centre to address them.
“QCS facilities have the ability to adjust operations to meet unforeseen staffing shortages such as unplanned leave, and ensure the safe and secure operation of the centre.”
The spokeswoman added that QCS took the health and safety of all staff and their family’s seriously.
“QCS employs a stepped care model of mental health – prevention, early intervention and targeted support,” she said.
“This includes a wide range of resources, training, advice and targeted support for officers and managers co-ordinated through the agency’s Culture and Wellbeing team.
“QCS provides all staff, and their immediate household family members, with access to free and confidential counselling services, and officers are supported by a range of formal and informal services.
“In September, QCS transitioned our EAP services to a new provider that specialises in supporting front line workers.
“The provider has a network of more than 400 clinicians across Queensland, including experienced trauma consultants to support officers.
“They provide rapid response consultants who can provide immediate support, follow up and referral.”
The spokeswoman said any officers seeking support could access phone or video call appointments within 24 hours, and when possible, face-to-face appointments within three days.
More Coverage
Originally published as Townsville Correctional Centre on verge of riot, says prison officer
Autopsy reveals ‘punch’ or ‘blow’ to head
Officers involved in the investigation of an alleged murder have taken the stand sharing the moment they found the weapon and details of the post-mortem autopsy.
Read more
‘Scary’: Footage captures truck’s rampage before crash
Alarming footage has emerged of a truck’s rampage through Townsville streets, hitting a light pole and a car before it crashed. Watch the video.
Read more