Prison officers in ‘boiling pot ready to explode’ pass no confidence vote in Minister

A third generation prison worker says “things have never been so bad” in Queensland’s prisons with deteriorating conditions forcing officers to protest.

A third generation correctional officer has begged the State Government for change saying he’s never seen conditions so bad in Queensland’s prisons.

The officer, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of punishment, said he had been working at Woodford Correctional Facility for than six years.

“I’m a third generation correctional officer, my stepfather and his father before him all worked in the job,” he said.

“They want me to quit because of the conditions we work under.

“It’s a boiling pot ready to explode.”

His admission comes after a group of protesters gathered at Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan’s electorate office in Caboolture South on Tuesday morning.

The staff were rallying to be heard over issues including staff assaults, lengthy wage negotiations, overcrowding and safety concerns.

Frustrated officers and corrective services staff even went as far as to pass a no-confidence motion with a raise of their hands after saying jails were the most dangerous they had ever been.

The Woodford staff member said conditions had become “scary bad” for workers and prisoners.

“The biggest worry for me personally is that the department is seriously considering putting three prisoners to a cell,” he said.

“My wife won't even allow me to talk about work at home, it worries her that much.

“My son who was also at the march wants to be a fourth generation worker but I don’t know if I should be encouraging it.

“Perhaps once he’s old enough things might be better, that’s why I marched.

The officer, who works in a specialist unit, said he oversaw “the worst things imaginable” in the centre.

“I had to take a $35,000 pay drop to work in corrections and after 6.5 years, I'm still struggling to earn that,” he said.

It comes after it was revealed earlier this year nearly 400 inmates at the Woodford Correctional Centre were sharing cells.

Ninety of those were left to sleep on mattresses on the floor, which the prison union says leads to more stress and violence.

In January, Together Union industrial services director Michael Thomas said there were 1437 inmates inside the centre, crammed into 1008 singular-designed cells.

Queensland Corrective Services confirmed the numbers were accurate at the time and said of those, 390 prisoners were sharing cells.

Corrective services said there were “approximately” 90 inmates on mattresses on the floor – numbers which it said fluctuated daily.

A spokesman from Minister Ryan’s office said the Minister was a strong supporter of safety for custodial officers.

“His support is reflected in actions this government has taken to ensure their safety, including: additional staff in correctional centres; updated use of force training and more severe penalties for assaults on custodial officers,” the spokesman said.

“(It also includes) the introduction of presumptive PTSD legislation and new legislation to increase the penalties for deliberate assaults on corrective services dogs.

“Notwithstanding, the matter has been referred to arbitration.

“Arbitration is on hold pending the outcome of the Together Union’s appeal in relation to the impact of the Newman Government’s Directive 12/12, the government will continue to work with the Together Union on matters important to custodial officers.”