Prisoner numbers soar with fears there could be two in every cell

Queensland prisoner numbers could peak to more than 11,000 before a new jail is built, sparking fears some centres could be so bloated that every cell could have two prisoners inside.

Brisbane’s Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre

Queensland prisoner numbers could peak to more than 11,000 before a new jail is built, sparking fears some centres could be so bloated that every cell could have two prisoners inside.

New prison figures show Arthur Gorrie jail, Borallon, Brisbane and Brisbane Women’s at more than 150 per cent cell capacity.

There are 10,394 prisoners in Queensland living out of 7546 cells, with thousands of prisoners “doubling up” in rooms by either sleeping on bunk beds or mattresses on the floor.

Queensland Corrective Service figures show the state’s remand centre Arthur Gorrie jail has 1409 prisoners, 1002 “built beds” and 890 cells.

Borallon jail has 805 prisoners, 736 beds and 492 cells while Brisbane Correctional Centre has 925 prisoners, 977 beds with 560 cells.

Brisbane Women’s jail has 328 prisoners, 379 beds and 267 cells, while Woodford has 1514 prisoners, 1638 beds and 1008 cells.

Many of the jails have surplus bunk beds, but Arthur Gorrie and Borallon would have prisoners sleeping on the floor.

A new mega jail at Gatton will have 1536 beds but is not expected to be open until the first half of next year.

With the average net operating cost per prisoner $240.81 per day in 2021-22, according to Report on Government Services data, taxpayers are spending $2.5m a day or almost $1b a year keeping criminals behind bars.

A Queensland Corrective Services spokeswoman said there would be 800 jobs available at the new jail.

She said mental health, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services would be delivered at the jail, which should be completed next year.

“The department is struggling with recruitment,” an officer said.

“There is not enough recruits to fill current vacancies let alone the 800 needed for the new jail.

“Delays in the jail could mean triple-ups before it comes online.”

The prison population has almost doubled in the last decade

Together Union assistant branch secretary Michael Thomas said the opening of the new jail next year would reduce some of the pressures.

“But in the meantime we are certainly concerned about the level of overcrowding,” he said.

“We are certainly concerned if prisoner numbers exceed the current capacity levels in prisons, given they are already doubled up.”

Originally published as Prisoner numbers soar with fears there could be two in every cell