Prisoners charged after assaulting police in attempt to flee Richlands watch house

Five prisoners have been charged after two police and a watch house officer were assaulted in an attempt to escape a Brisbane watch house.

Specialist Police attended Richlands watch house. Picture: 9News

Five prisoners have been charged after two police and a watch house officer were assaulted in an attempt to escape a Brisbane watch house.

Specialist police responded to an incident at Richlands Watch house just before 6pm on Sunday where a group of prisoners tried to break out.

A watch house officer opened the cell to deliver food to those inside when one prisoner lunged for the officer’s set of keys.

A struggle broke out between officers and prisoners and the set of keys was taken, but the prisoners were unable to escape.

The disturbance was immediately contained and resolved once officers arrived but in the process two police officers and one watch house officer were assaulted sustaining minor injuries.

Specialist Police attended Richlands watch house. Picture: 9News

Five male prisoners aged in their 20s and 30s were charged with escape lawful custody and serious assault.

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said the prisoners had deliberately manipulated the lock in the cell before the incident.

Officers used a taser when they stopped some of the prisoners.

“I think this is a direct consequence of the overcrowding that we’re seeing throughout the state,” he said.

“Prisoner attitudes are far more heightened than they ever have been, which is resulting in police being assaulted more frequently as prisoners are more willing to use violence against the police because they are frustrated.”

Mr Prior said 16 of the 18 prisoners in the 20-bed facility at Richlands on Saturday were Queensland Corrective Service prisoners.

“So those 16 should have been on their way or in a in a long term correctional facility, but they simply weren’t,” he said.

“And I think over the last five to 10 years, Queensland Corrective Services have become so reliant and relaxed on the section of the Corrective Services Act, which allows them to keep their prisoners in police custody for a 21 day period, that we’re seeing these incidences of overcrowding in watch houses, thereby putting police at higher risk of injury and assault.

“I think what’s abundantly clear here is that the piece of legislation that Queensland Corrective Services rely upon to keep their prisoners in police custody is simply not fit for purpose anymore.

“And that once it is determined that a prisoner is no longer a police prisoner and should be in the care of Queensland Corrective Services, then they should have no longer than 72 hours to make those arrangements.

“I think three days to find a bed for a prisoner is more than appropriate.”