Conair: Qld taxpayers foot $35k bill for prisoner’s private jet

A Queenslander prisoner was flown two hours from a Rockhampton jail to a Mt Isa court in a private jet, costing taxpayers $35,000.

A Queenslander prisoner was flown two hours in a private jet to appear in a Mt Isa court.

A private jet was hired for one prisoner to fly from a jail to court, costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars, in the latest incident to rock Queensland’s overpopulated jails and watch houses.

The Courier-Mail has confirmed the prisoner was taken out of Capricornia jail on October 1 and flown to Mount Isa for the appearance in court.

He was accompanied by two prison officers for the flight which took about two hours.

In the latest saga involving the costly moving of prisoners around the state, the flight has raised questions as to why the matter wasn’t heard via a video link as officers have claimed the matter was not finalisation of the court case.

The prisoner was flown in a Cesna similar to this. Picture: Supplied

The Courier-Mail has been told the flight cost $35,000 for the one prisoner which wasn’t disputed by authorities when questioned about the flight.

Queensland Corrective Services was asked why such a significant amount of money was paid for a prisoner to be transferred for a court matter and if it was usual practice for a private charter flight for a court mention.

“The prisoner was required to appear in person before the Mount Isa District Court on Tuesday 3 October,” a spokesman told The Courier-Mail in a statement.

“There were no QGAIR or commercial flights available on Friday 29 September, Saturday 30 September and Monday 2 October (public holiday).

“Attempts were made for the matter to be heard via video link, however this was not granted by the court.”

The flight comes as the Queensland Police Service was forced to fly prisoners out of watch houses in the state’s north because they were bursting at the seams, some at more than 200 per cent capacity.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers had warned that a death in custody was “waiting to happen”.

Townsville watch house was on Monday at 178 per cent capacity, Mount Isa 219 per cent and Cairns 125 per cent, according to figures provided by the union.

“Mount Isa, Cairns and Townsville watch houses are so full, they are putting three and four people in a cell designed for one person,” he said of the situation.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll wrote to the service on Monday night, telling troops that watch houses had gone from 375 prisoners to 461 in just a week.

Ms Carroll said QGAir would fly 40 prisoners from overcrowded watch houses in the north to southeast Queensland watch houses which have capacity.

In the longer term she said the issue would be resolved with the mega jail at Gatton and the new youth remand facility to be built at Wacol.