Does Toowoomba need a low-risk prisoners work camp?

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council is accepting public submissions over its proposal to build a low-risk prisoners' work camp in Charlton.

New figures show there are 1789 prisoners in NT correctional facilities.

A CONTROVERSIAL proposal by Toowoomba Regional Council to build a "low-risk" prisoners camp at Charlton is now open for public comment. 

The camp was originally proposed for The Woolshed, at Jondaryan, but that idea was abandoned after backlash from the community in 2016. 

According to documents lodged with the council, the prison will house a maximum of 12 "low-risk prisoners", none of who have been convicted or incarcerated for serious crimes involving rape, molestation, murder or other serious violent offences.

Toowoomba Regional Council plans to build a detention facility work camp on land at Nass Rd in Charlton. Picture: Contributed

The prisoners will also be prepared for their release in the near future.

Two Department of Corrective Services Officers will supervise and secure the prisoners at all times.

Other staff will include an on-site cook/chef. Prisoner duties will involve general maintenance of community facilities, including lawn mowing, maintenance and building and restoration works and similar labouring duties among farms and businesses with the region.

The perimeter of the complex will be surrounded by a 3m high security fence.

On site there will be three prisoner dormitory buildings, a training and recreation room, kitchen, officer accommodation, laundry, store room and two pergolas.

Toowoomba Regional Council plans to build a detention facility work camp on land at Nass Rd in Charlton. Picture: Contributed

There will also be a workshop, a storage shipping container, two turfed recreation areas, a general outdoor storage area and visitor parking.

The proposal stems from community calls to use low risk prisoners for a variety of labouring and maintenance tasks following the closure of the Darling Downs Correctional Centre in 2012.

To comment on the proposal, write to the assessment manager at Toowoomba Regional Council at PO Box 3021, Toowoomba QLD 4350, email [e-mail], or phone 131 872, before March 15.

Originally published as Does Toowoomba need a low-risk prisoners work camp?