Covid scare managed at Maryborough Correctional Centre

A Covid scare at Maryborough Correctional Centre has given an insight into how the pandemic is being managed by prison staff.

Maryborough Correctional Centre. Photo: Mitch Crawley / Fraser Coast Chronicle

A Covid scare has sent shockwaves through Maryborough Correctional Centre after staff members feared to have been exposed told to stay home this week pending the results of testing.

The tests have reportedly returned negative results with the incident giving an insight into how the prison would manage a Covid outbreak.

Queensland Corrective Services would not comment on the Covid scare for privacy reasons.

“Like every large employer, we are responding to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation,” a spokeswoman said.

“We are working closely with Queensland Health to make appropriate decisions to ensure the safety and security of our centres.

“The safety of our officers is an absolute priority.

“Every centre across the State has extensive plans in place to manage the scenarios posed by COVID-19 and the unique risks of the virus in prison environments.

“All decisions are being made in consultation with Queensland Health.

“Every prison has a comprehensive store of PPE in addition to a statewide stockpile, which is used in line with Queensland Health direction.

“All officers working in Queensland correctional centres are required to have had at least one vaccination, and to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 24.”

The spokeswoman said all Queensland correctional centres are constantly reviewing their service delivery models and adjusting as needed to support the safety and security of the centre.

“This may have an impact on normal regimes for prisoners,” she said.

“Every prison has a comprehensive store of PPE in addition to access to a statewide stockpile, which is used in line with Queensland Health direction.

A correctional centre officer randomly scans inmates at the Maryborough Correctional Centre. Photo: Robyne Cuerel / Fraser Coast Chronicle

“All officers working in Queensland correctional centres are required under the recent chief health officer directive to have had at least one vaccination, and to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 24.”

It comes after a staff member from Maryborough prison raised concerns about jobs losses and critical officer shortages with some workers refusing to disclose their vaccination status.

The staff member, who asked to remain anonymous told the Fraser Coast Chronicle last month between 15 and 20 staff at the centre had been stood down as the Covid mandates came into effect.

The spokeswoman said the vast majority of officers were already fully vaccinated, “potentially at rates higher than the general public”.

“A small percentage of officers who work in correctional centres, equating to less than 2 per cent of the workforce, have failed to provide proof of vaccination status, and have been placed on suspension pending disciplinary processes.

“Correctional centres have adjusted their rostering to cover for the officers who are on suspension, as well officers who have been told by Queensland Health to self-isolate as a result of social exposure to positive cases.”

The spokeswoman also commented on claims that prisoners had been left with little choice as to whether or not to be vaccinated.

“Every prisoner in Queensland has been offered vaccination, and anecdotally the uptake among prisoners is higher than the general public,” she said.

“New prisoners are offered vaccination upon reception into a correctional centre.

“Every month approximately 1000 people are released from prison in Queensland, and roughly the same number enter the system, so there is a rolling program of vaccination managed by Queensland Health.”

Originally published as Covid scare managed at Maryborough Correctional Centre