Overtime concerns, staffing issues at Townsville Correctional Centre
Townsville prison officers are being flooded with text messages asking for shifts to be covered on short notice with eight texts for help sent in one morning.
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Townsville Correctional Centre officers are being flooded with text messages pleading for shifts to be covered as staff shortages continue.
Queensland Corrective Services say the prison is fully staffed for the capacity but concerned correctional officers have told the Bulletin that call-outs for shifts to be covered are coming in less than an hour before the shift starts.
This follows revelations that Queensland prisons were so full, offenders were being kept in watch-houses for extended periods of time.
One morning this week, eight messages reportedly went out before 8.30am asking for various shifts to be covered, including accompanying prisoners to Townsville University Hospital.
One message, seen by the Townsville Bulletin, revealed that overtime allocation at the prison was exhausted.
Sources told the Bulletin that “quite regularly” there was not enough staff to watch the prisoners.
They claimed there was no fatigue management in place and staff were being called in last minute, with one text sent 55 minutes before a shift was supposed to start.
Staffing concerns have been an ongoing issue with insiders telling the Bulletin earlier this year the prison was on the verge of a riot due to shortages.
Other staff also revealed that there was not enough help available for people who had to take stress leave.
However, QCS said the prison was “fully staffed for the current prison capacity” with 1120 inmates housed on Friday, October 20. This comprised 253 female and 867 male prisoners.
There are 540 officers currently on the books at the prison, with new recruits joining regularly.
“Queensland Corrective Services has an ongoing recruitment program under way with advertising in regions around the state including Townsville,” a spokesman said.
“This open recruitment model means QCS recruits officers throughout the year to address projected requirements.
“In the past year, more than 70 custodial correctional officers have joined the correctional complex, and with QCS exploring the potential expansion of the Townsville Correctional Precinct, this will offer even more career opportunities for people to work in Townsville.
“Prison operations are highly dynamic, and our operational model allows flexibility as needed to ensure safe staffing levels.”
Sources told the Bulletin that a large number of staff were out on stress leave, but QCS were unable to respond to questions on this issue.
Originally published as Overtime concerns, staffing issues at Townsville Correctional Centre
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