Timeline of incidents at Capricornia Correctional in the last decade

From drug overdoses to deaths, riots, prisoner escapes and guard assaults, we take a look back on the past 10 years at Capricornia Correctional Centre .

After revelations of an independent review into the workforce culture at Capricornia Correctional Centre, The Morning Bulletin took a look back into the archives at the many incidents reported at the prison over the years.

A review into the workplace culture at the Capricornia Correctional Centre has been launched after concerns were raised by prison staff and union leaders.

Queensland Corrective Services announced to its staff on July 9 that an independent external review would take place into the workplace culture at the Etna Creek prison north of Rockhampton.

From drug overdoses to deaths, riots, prisoner escapes and guard assaults, we take a look back on the past 10 years at the Etna Creek prison near Rockhampton.

June 12, 2012: A prisoner spent four weeks on the run when he stole jewellery, a car and petrol along the way. He was caught a day later in Brisbane.

September 17, 2013: Inmate Michael Blutcher, aged 31, was found unresponsive in his room at the low security farm at the Capricornia Correctional Centre. He was found to have died of a fentanyl overdose. The drugs were snuck into the jail inside a soft drink can.

April 13, 2014: Two prisoners rolled up a prison fence and slipped underneath it to escape. They were spotted in their prison uniforms three days later at the Emu Park IGA and were caught by police near Keppel Sands.

March 19, 2016: Inmate Kevin O’Connor jumped the prison fence and made a run for the highway, threatening a visitor leaving to let him get in her car. He was located by police in Emerald on March 20.

August 24, 2016: Inmate Frederick Arthur died by suicide. He was held in the Detention Unit for days following his assault on another prisoner. It was heard in a May 2021 court inquest Row Row had also assaulted a prisoner officer in the months prior to his death. The results of the inquest are yet to be released.

February 20, 2017: A prisoner was discovered missing in the 7.30am headcount at the Low Security Prison Farm. He handed himself in at 10pm that and was located at a Glendale residence.

May 27, 2017: Two violent prisoners escaped from the Rockhampton prison and made it to Brisbane before they were caught. They were caught the next day.

The moment when Queensland Police arrested Brian Tapim on the front porch of an Oakenden property.

January 28, 2018: Two prisoners escaped using a wheelie bin and a blanket. One was found naked in a cane paddock in Sarina the next day. The other was found in Mackay five days later.
June 6, 2018: Two prisoners were undertaking community service at the Rockhampton Showgrounds when they were reported missing. One was recaptured four days later in North Mackay. The other prisoner was caught two weeks later and during his flee, he went on a crime spree having stolen five cars, seven fuel drive offs, break and enter of a Mackay business where he stole a set of keys and took a vehicle, rammed two police cars, drove on the wrong side of the road to avoid police and stingers which had been deployed, and attempted to ram a police car into a concrete divider.

May 5, 2019: Suspected mass drug overdose reported with six prisoners in hospital and one airlifted in a serious condition. A prison officer was also injured.

October 2019: Seven officers from the Capricornia Correctional Centre faced 12 charges including allegations of misconduct, common assault and disclosing a confidential notice. Three Capricornia officers were stood down following a court hearing.

Inside Capricornia Correctional Centre

October 12, 2019: 31 prisoners were involved in a “code black” incident. A riot started when eight inmates began to protest around lunchtime and the incident escalated as the group refused to obey directions from officers and inmates damaged cell doors while covering CCTV cameras. Some were armed with makeshift weapons including broomsticks and mop buckets. The incident was stood down by specialist officers and the dog unit.

October 30, 2019: Prisoners damaged the cameras in their cells, escaped and scaled the building and staked out on the roof for three hours. One prisoner threatened officers with a length of wood and the prison was locked down for a number of hours. Two officers were injured.

December 22, 2019: An inmate climbed onto the roof of the facility but no major incident occurred.

December 25, 2019: A drone was used to drop a contraband package into the exercise yard of the Capricornia Correctional Centre on Christmas Day and the prison was put into lockdown.

Inside one of the cell blocks of the Capricornia Correctional Centre.

February 4, 2020: An inmate became agitated and spat in the face of a prison officer.

December 31, 2020: Reports inmates were being kept in their cells longer than stipulated due to a guard shortage. There were also claims they were prevented from going outside or using the phones.

February 26, 2021: Whistleblowers claim prison officer shortage despite the expansion and cell vents have been fitted to eye level meaning prisoners can spit or throw bodily fluids on officers. The vents are designed to be at ground and ceiling level at other prisons.

May 28, 2021: Delays in the Parole Board assessing prisoner’s parole applications meant more than 1500 prisoners were being held in jail for longer. Rockhampton lawyers were advised in May of a six month delay. There were also delays in mail from lawyers being delivered to their clients in the jail, but it is understood mail began to flow again after a Morning Bulletin story about the issue.

July 9, 2021: Announcement of an independent external review.

Originally published as Timeline of incidents at Capricornia Correctional in the last decade