Jail locked down after staff assaulted

Two custodial corrections officers have been assaulted with a broom leading to the lockdown of a Brisbane jail this afternoon.

Two custodial corrections officers have been assaulted with a broom leading to the lockdown of Brisbane Women’s jail.

A female prisoner was out of her cell and wanted to go back inside and seriously assaulted two staff, a man and a woman, just before midday.

Both staff were taken to hospital, with one with having an injury to their face and the other having a head injury.

Staff said the jail was locked down.

General images of Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre at Wolston, Wolston Friday 2nd August 2019 Picture AAP/David Clark

“Staff inside Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre don’t carry OC spray unlike staff at men’s correctional centres who all have it,” an officer said.

A Queensland Corrective Services spokesman confirmed the incident took place just before midday.

“The injured officers were treated on the scene by their colleagues and Queensland Health staff,” the spokesman said.

“One officer suffered a laceration to the head. A second officer received a laceration to the face. Both were transported to hospital for further treatment in a stable condition.”
The spokesman said responding officers restrained the prisoner and she was transferred to the detention unit.

The Corrective Services Investigation Unit of the Queensland Police Service has been notified and will investigate, he said.

“The full circumstances of the incident will also be subject to internal review as a part of our commitment to officer safety,” the spokesman said.

“The centre was locked down early to allow responding officers to participate in a debrief with management. Employee support services were also on site.”

Opposition spokesman for police and corrective services Dale Last said “there is absolutely no excuse for assaults on corrections staff” and that he hoped the injured staff made a full and hasty recovery.

“Unfortunately, this is yet another example of the dangers that staff in Queensland’s corrections system face and another example of why they need the full support of the government,” he said.

“Queensland’s prison system is completely broken under this Labor government.”

“The investigation into this incident will provide answers as to the cause but I think I speak for all Queenslanders when I say that we need to ensure that any prisoner who assaults staff is subject to the full weight of the law.  The punishment must fit the crime and a slap on the wrist simply will not do.”

Responding to the assaults, Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan said safety of custodial officers was paramount.

“That is why the government enacted legislation imposing a maximum penalty of 14 years to a prisoner who seriously assaults a corrective services officer,” he said.

“Any assault on our custodial officers is totally unacceptable, they should be respected and not attacked.

“They do difficult and challenging work keeping the rest of the community safe.

“I am assured that Queensland Corrective Services will provide every support to those officers who have been attacked.”