Life behind bars in Queensland: What it’s really like to be in prison

There may be drug searches and threats of violence, but there are also tennis courts, gym equipment and access to televisions. Take a peek inside some of the state’s correctional facilities.

Access to televisions and exercise equipment, tennis and basketball courts.

This isn’t a weekend getaway – it describes the amenities at many of the state’s correctional centres.

But unlike a holiday resort, the roommates are criminals and likely unknown to each other before fate placed them in the same prison cell.

Corrective Services Dog Handler Steve Berthelsen with Nera at the Maryborough Correctional Centre.

And your enjoyment of the midday movie might be interrupted by a prison guard and canine executing a drug search.

At the state’s correctional centres, some of the comforts and luxuries of the outside world have found their way in.

Maryborough Correctional Centre.

According to a Queensland Corrective Services spokesman, a typical day will begin with breakfast around 7.30am before the structured day commences.

“Some prisoners will be escorted out of the correctional centre for court attendance or for medical appointments with the remaining prisoners usually participating in employment, education or other rehabilitative programs for a part of their day,” he said.

“When prisoners are in their accommodation area they have access to reading and writing materials, a radio, exercise equipment and have the option to hire a television.

“Prisoners have opportunities to make telephone calls or virtual visits to approved contacts and may periodically receive visits from their families and friends, legal representatives, healthcare workers, cultural elders and religious groups.

The high security unit of the Maryborough Correctional Centre.

“Prisoners are ‘locked down’ in their cells from late afternoon, and may be locked down at any point during the day for security reasons or for staff training sessions.”

Prisoners can pay about $2 a week to hire a television, on which they can watch free-to-air channels.

Televisions are also provided in common areas.

And tennis isn’t a luxury provided to all prisoners.

“At some centres, prisoners in residential areas may get access to activities like tennis as part of the structured day, but it is not a privilege provided to all prisoners,” a spokeswoman said.

Most cell rooms accommodate two prisoners.

Maryborough Correctional Centre computer room.

“The majority of prisoners in Queensland share cells with other prisoners to maximise the use of infrastructure,” the spokesman said.

“Each shared cell placement is assessed, and consideration is given to the individual risk and needs of the prisoners.

“Prisoners with particular vulnerabilities, association issues, or where they may pose a known risk to others are either placed in a single cell or doubled-up with an appropriate prisoner.

“Double-up accommodation arrangements are continually monitored and reviewed.”

Multi-use halls provide an empty space for a range of activities as part of a structured day.

“There are some static bars in exercise yards in secure units that prisoners can use while they are unlocked and residential areas may have some basic equipment similar to what you would see at an outdoor area at a park,” the spokeswoman said.

Originally published as Life behind bars in Queensland: What it’s really like to be in prison