Paul Andrew Hill sentenced for role in Capricornia Correctional Centre prison riot

A prisoner who smashed CCTV cameras and security doors with a pickaxe handle during a riot will be released on parole. Here’s why.

Paul Andrew Hill, 33. Picture: Facebook

A male prisoner has used a pickaxe handle to damage a CCTV security camera and security doors during a major prison riot involving more than 100 prisoners in 2021, the Townsville District Court heard this week.

Paul Andrew Hill, 33, pleaded guilty to a charge of riot at the Capricornia Correctional Centre at Etna Creek, 20km north of Rockhampton on October 21, 2021.

Crown Prosecutor Terence McCosker said Hill had removed his shirt and was seen pacing aggressively with the riot instigators for most of the day.

He said Hill was one of 64 prisoners charged after the 18 hour riot, which caused $1.2m damage to the correctional centre.

The court was told that Hill had armed himself with a pickaxe handle and was seen using it against a security camera and also breaking external security doors during the riot.

The riot began after prisoners became unruly when visitors were not allowed into the centre during a lockdown, and escalated to the point where even molotov cocktails were used in several of the wings.

Mr McCosker said at the time Hill was serving an 18-month sentence.

In the latter stages of the riot he was filmed on the roof inhaling substances, until he was arrested at 10.58pm.

Mr McCosker said Hill had a 10-page criminal history with 20 entries that was described by Judge Geoffrey Lynham as ‘appalling’.

Hill’s barrister, Ross Malcomson, said his client had a long, problematic history with alcohol and methamphetamine, although these were not in play when the riot took place.

Judge Lynham sentenced Hill to 15 months’ jail, with parole available immediately, allowing for the 180 days he had spent in pre-sentence custody.

Originally published as Paul Andrew Hill sentenced for role in Capricornia Correctional Centre prison riot