Tony Schneider found dead in cell at Brisbane Correctional Centre

The man found dead in his cell at Brisbane Correctional Centre this week has been identified as a former drug trafficker.

The prisoner found dead in his cell at Brisbane Correctional Centre has been identified as 35-year-old Tony Daniel Schneider.

The man who died in a Brisbane jail has been identified as Tony Daniel Schneider who was previously jailed for drug trafficking.

Schneider, 35, was jailed for drug trafficking in 2010-11 with offences committed in the Darling Downs area.

The Supreme Court was told police had set up surveillance on another man when they became aware of Schneider’s involvement.

He was selling methamphetamines and oxycodone to feed his own drug habit, according to his barrister at the time.

Schneider was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail, with a parole eligibility date in 2015. He appealed the sentence in 2014 but it was later abandoned.

Schneider was again charged with drug trafficking in 2019-20 and pleaded guilty in March last year.

He was sentenced to five-and-a-half years with a parole eligibility date of September 2022 when taking into account pre-sentence custody.

Schneider was moved from a watchhouse to Brisbane Correctional Centre on Monday before he was found dead the following day. He had been in custody since September 1 for serious property and drug related offences.

Authorities are investigating the prisoner’s death. Picture: David Clark

Officers said he was found in the cell with a syringe and the drug Subutex which consists the drug Buprenorphine use for opioid dependence.

It’s unclear how he was able to bring the drug into the jail.

When asked about the death, Queensland Corrective Services would not comment specifically about what was found in the cell.

“Officers responded to the incident after a Code Blue was activated and immediately commenced CPR while awaiting the arrival of QAS (Queensland Ambulance Service); however, the 35-year-old could not be revived,” the spokesperson said.

“As per normal process, a full internal investigation will be conducted, and Queensland Corrective Services will assist police in preparing a report for the Coroner.

“While investigations are underway it would not be appropriate to comment further.

“Our condolences go to the man’s family and community.

“Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues,” the spokesperson said.

In a statement on Friday a police spokesman said officers attended the Brisbane Correctional Centre on Tuesday and launched an investigation into Schneider’s death.

“Investigations are continuing in relation to the circumstances of the man’s death,” the spokesman said.

“The deceased has been in police custody since his arrest on September 1 for serious property and drug related offences.

“He was transferred into the custody of Queensland Corrective Services on September 11. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.”

The Courier-Mail has previously reported about prisoners smuggling the drug inside the jail and the amounts of money people pay to buy it on the jail black market for a “hit”.

Officers have said that body scanners are needed in jails to stop drugs including Suboxone and Subutex getting inside and being sold.

When asked about this issue in July a Queensland Corrective Services spokeswoman said body scanners would be trialled next year at Brisbane Women’s jail and the new men’s prison that is yet to be completed at Gatton.

Prisoners would undergo body scanners which would be able to detect powdered drugs, pills and Suboxone strips.