Prison guard charged for allegedly smuggling drugs into Townsville Correctional Centre

A prison guard has been suspended immediately after allegedly smuggling drugs into a Queensland jail.

The guard worked with Townsville Correctional Centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

A Queensland prison guard has been charged over allegedly smuggling drugs into a jail.

Mason Winlaw, 31, was issued a notice to appear on Monday after police allege he was caught taking drugs into Townsville Correctional Centre in an incident last week.

Winlaw, who graduated as a Queensland Corrective Services officer in October last year, has been charged with one count each of supplying drugs into a correctional facility and possessing things (mobile phone).

A spokeswoman from Queensland Corrective Services said the officer has also been suspended.

“Queensland Corrective Services can confirm an officer from Townsville Correctional Centre has been suspended pending a police investigation,” she said.

“QCS expects the highest standards of ethical professional behaviour from our officers.

“It would not be appropriate for QCS to comment on an ongoing investigation.”

Winlaw will face Townsville Magistrates Court for the first time on January 9.

The charge of supplying drugs into a correctional facility holds a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

The fresh scandal comes after another incident at the jail was aired in October, where another male guard was allegedly caught on CCTV pleasuring himself in front of a female co-worker.

In September, a formal investigation was also sparked after a former inmate was employed as a prison guard at Townsville Correctional Centre, only to be swiftly suspended after his past came to light.

Originally published as Prison guard charged for allegedly smuggling drugs into Townsville Correctional Centre