Inmate Alex Stevens pleads guilty to role in Woodford prison riot

A Sunshine Coast man has accepted his involvement in a daring uprising at a Queensland jail that resulted in fires being lit and tear gas being deployed.

Alex Graeme Stevens appeared in Maroochydore District Court on Friday following a riot at the Woodford Correctional Centre. Picture: Facebook/Patrick Woods

A Sunshine Coast man has admitted to his involvement in a riot at a South East Queensland prison which caused thousands of dollars in damages.

Alex Graeme Stevens played a minor role in the “code black” uprising at the Woodford Correctional Centre on October 13 last year which resulted in the dog squad being deployed and tear gas being used.

Maroochydore District Court heard details of the fiery riot on Friday after the 22-year-old pleaded guilty to riot with property damage.

Stevens sat with two correctional officers either side of him in the court’s dock while he listened to the facts, with both his hands and ankles in handcuffs.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said the riot involved eight prisoners, including Stevens, causing damage to the common area attached to an exercise yard and officer’s station for more than an hour.

The court heard the group damaged furniture, phones, windows and CCTV equipment. Others lit a fire and armed themselves with items and threw objects at staff.

Alex Graeme Stevens. Picture: Facebook

Mr Stark said Stevens’ role involved aiding others by preventing guards entry to the common area by crouching against an officer’s station door.

The crown prosecutor said this attempt to “block officers” showed the 22-year-old had a lesser role in the riot as opposed to the rest.

The wild fracas went from a code yellow, to red after a fire was started from a kitchenette toaster and then to black, which involved the lockdown of the entire prison.

Mr Stark said the dog squad arrived to assist with tear gas eventually deployed to suppress and end the riot.

The total cost of the riot was $27,474.67, which was captured on security cameras until they were destroyed by other inmates.

The crown prosecutor said the 22-year-old was already serving a large stint in prison when he took part in the riot.

The riot at Woodford Correctional Centre lasted for more than an hour and caused more than $27,000 in damages. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Defence barrister Amelia Loode said Stevens came from a traumatic upbringing involving the abuse of drugs, and had troubled relationships with his mother and dad.

Ms Loode said since turning 18, Stevens had only spent roughly six months in the outside world out of custody, between periods of imprisonment.

She said Stevens’ dad has since been a great source of support later in life, and stated the 22-year-old was completing drug rehabilitation and counselling while in custody.

The defence barrister said the rioting was at the lower end of seriousness as he was not personally involved in the property damage.

Judge Ian Dearden told Stevens it was all “pretty stupid” being involved in the prison row as it has only added more time to his other sentence.

The District Court Judge said he hoped the 22-year-old would stay out of jail after he was released as it would be good for him and his family.

Stevens was sentenced to 12 months’ jail, but will be eligible for parole on October 25. This will be cumulative to his current sentence.

Originally published as Inmate Alex Stevens pleads guilty to role in Woodford prison riot