Graham James Tilberoo sentenced for his role behind Rockhampton prison riot 2021

The reason a ‘prison leader’ revolted against a lockdown at a Qld jail, sparking a notorious riot, is not what anyone would ever expect.

The October 2021 prisoner riots at Capricornia Correctional Centre.

The defence lawyer for one of the ‘leaders’ behind the 2021 Capricornia Correctional Centre riot that caused $1.2m in damage has argued her client did not call the shots, rather other inmates were “inspired” by his complaint about the lockdown.

Graham James Tilberoo, 30, was serving a four-year prison term at the Etna Creek prison for a choking conviction when the infamous October 2021 riot broke out, Rockhampton District Court heard on August 5.

Judge Jeff Clarke said Tilberoo became agitated when prison staff told him about 9am on October 21 there would be a lockdown of the prison, which meant there would be no visitors, but Tilberoo was expecting his mother that day.

He said Tilberoo became angry and told staff “yous can f*** off. I’m not getting locked down today. This is bulls**t that I can’t see my mother” and he refused to enter is cell when instructed.

“You were seen as (one of the) leaders of your unit, secure unit, at the time of the riot,” Judge Clarke said.

Police vehicles can be seen in the distance at the perimeter of the Capricornia Correctional Centre late during the riots and protests.

Defence barrister Amelia Loode said there was no evidence her client “called the shots”.

“It was Tilberoo’s complaint that inspired others to take things into their own hands,” she said.

“He was seen as a leader in the prison… the original complaint in respect of the running of prison might be considered to be a fair complaint in respect of the impact of lockdowns on the access that prisoners have to supports that assist them during custody.

“What then transpires is well out of proportion.”

Judge Clarke said following Tilberoo’s refusal to go into lockdown, “the situation escalated quickly”.

“Within a short space of time a Code Black was called which forced a complete lockdown,” he said.

“Officers were issued shields, gas canisters and laid out riot gear including shotguns.”

Extensive damage as a result of the 16-hour riots at Capricornia Correctional Centre.

He said the $1.2m damage bill seemed “a fairly conservative estimate given that many prisoners had to be rehoused in other correctional centres throughout the state because the parts of the unit became so uninhabitable… cells were completely destroyed”.

During the riot, Tilberoo broke into a landscaping shed and stole items which were used as weapons.

John Frederick Murray was the cocky prisoner rode around Capricornia Correctional Centre on a lawnmower wearing a guard’s hat while sniffing petrol and flipping the bird.

Judge Clarke said the Special Emergency Response Team had to go into the dangerous situation to safely remove an officer that had been stuck inside alone.

He said Tilberoo was the prisoner speaking over the radio and became the primary prisoner speaking to police during negotiations while on the roof, declining to surrender.

Extensive damage as a result of the 16-hour riots at Capricornia Correctional Centre.

Ms Loode said her client had “personally apologised to a number of officers that were present that day for what happened” and for his involvement in the offending.

She said Tilberoo, who grew up in Redfern and Sydney before moving to Woorabinda to live with his father’s family after school, had worked in community health development and at the PCYC.

Ms Loode said he had started an apprenticeship with QBuild in 2013 when he started using methamphetamines then began offending and subsequently spending time in prison.

She said Tilberoo had also used other drugs such as heroin and fentanyl.

Ms Loode said her client had been released from custody in August 2023 and worked in the mines doing land surveys with native title and part time cultural work, which he enjoyed.

She said he acknowledged he required rehabilitation for his drug and alcohol issues, along with anger management, when he is released from prison and hopes to finish the apprenticeship he started with QBuild.

Tilberoo pleaded guilty to one count of riot and was sentenced to 15 months prison, wholly suspended and operational for two years.

He was remanded in custody for outstanding matters.

Originally published as Graham James Tilberoo sentenced for his role behind Rockhampton prison riot 2021