Jailhouse shock with inmates up

JAILS could be filled with an unprecedented 10,000 inmates within two years, forcing a new prison to be built in southeast Queensland.

Prisoners cost taxpayers more than $500 million a year, or about $1.5 million a day, and further blowouts are expected as prisoner numbers increase. The State Government is considering a new 1000-bed jail at Gatton and other expansions.

There are 8488 inmates in Queensland jails, or about 1500 prisoners over capacity. The number was 7684 in January 2016.

The Bulletin has been told the 10,000 inmate scenario has been raised within Queensland Correctional Services, with prison bosses seeking a cost-effective solution. Prisoners are being forced to share cells or “double up”, with one sleeping on the floor on a mattress.