Woodford jail rocked by second death in just 12 hours

Woodford jail has been rocked by two deaths in just 12 hours, with an inmate found dead in their cell after another was found in the prison’s laundry.

Two prisoners have died inside Woodford Correctional Centre in the past 12 hours. Picture: Lachie Millard

A PRISONER has been found dead in their cell at Woodford jail, just 12 hours after another inmate was found dead in a laundry.

The prisoner, 37, was found in a single occupancy cell with “obvious injuries” just before 4am today. His death is being treated as non-suspicious.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman confirmed officers were investigating the deaths, with the laundry one treated as suspicious.

“Detectives from the Corrective Services Investigations Unit, with the assistance of the Homicide Investigation Unit, are investigating the suspicious death of a 37-year-old man at the Woodford Correctional Centre yesterday,” the QPS spokeswoman said.

“As the matter is still under investigation, no further information will be released.

“Police can confirm they are investigating a second death that occurred this morning at the Woodford Correctional Centre.

“This death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”

Investigation after prisoner’s body found in laundry at Woodford jail

Two prisoners have died in Woodford Correctional Centre in the past 12 hours. Picture: Lachie Millard

In a statement, Queensland Corrective Services said of the latest death: “Custodial correctional officers immediately commenced first aid on the man, including CPR, and QAS was called, however the man could not be revived, and he was declared deceased.

“CSIU (the Queensland Police Service Corrective Services Investigation Unit) is investigating the incident and Queensland Corrective Services will assist in preparing a report for the Coroner.

“Our condolences go out to his family and friends. Support is being provided to the officers involved in responding to the incident.”

In yesterday’s incident a man, also aged 37, was found by jail staff just before 4pm in a laundry at the jail.

“Custodial correctional staff immediately began first aid on the man, however he was unable to be revived,” Queensland Corrective Services said in a statement.

“CSIU (the Queensland Police Service Corrective Services Investigation Unit) is investigating the incident, and Queensland Corrective Services will assist in the investigation and the preparation of a report to the coroner.

“His next of kin has been informed, and our condolences go to his family and friends.”

The Courier-Mail understands the two deaths are being treated as unrelated incidents.

Authorities are treated two deaths in Woodford jail in the past two days as not linked. Picture: Chris McCormack.

The two deaths follow a string of incidents at Woodford jail in the last month including a riot.

The major “code black” riot on April 14 involved up to 15 prisoners who made makeshift weapons and smashed glass.

Officers had to cut their way into unit N15 and use gas after prisoners ripped phones off the walls, made weapons out of chairs and glass and threw urine into an officer station.

On April 30, a custodial officer was suspended from the jail due to an ongoing investigation in relation to alleged drug offences in a private capacity.

On April 27, a prison employee was suspended after a bizarre investigation into claims drugs were found in chocolate wrappers after the confectionery was seized from a prisoner and later offered to staff.

The Courier-Mail was told a prisoner had stockpiled masses of food and it was seized by prison staff at the jail north of Brisbane.

Staff have claimed that chocolates were among the items seized and an employee began eating and sharing the contents of the confectionery with colleagues.

Woodford Correctional Centre has been hit by a string of major incidents in the past month. Picture: Chris McCormack.

But the matter became a serious incident after an intel officer opened one of the chocolates and allegedly found multiple strips of the opioid drug Subutex inside, according to officers.

The drug Buprenorphine, found in Subutex and Suboxone used for opioid addiction, is a hot commodity inside jail. A Subutex strip cut into four pieces can sell for $400.

The male employee was then suspended.

“A custodial corrections officer at Woodford Correctional Centre was suspended from duty on 27 April 2020, as a result of an ongoing investigation,” Queensland Corrective Services said in a statement.

“This is due to allegations relating to possession of drugs, failing to comply with policy and procedure relating to prisoner’s property, misusing their authority and inappropriately disclosing confidential information.”