Overcrowding at police watchhouse queried
Questions have been raised in relation to capacity at Coolangatta’s police lock-up, with a state MP claiming overcrowding at the facility is “pure chaos”.
Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon addressed Bulletin reports this week revealing claims by officers the city’s watchhouses were overcrowded and that they were being told not to arrest offenders on return to prison warrants.
“We’ve got a capacity for 63 beds (at Southport) and we’ve got capacity at Coolangatta as well for another dozen people,” Superintendent Hanlon said on Monday.
“The number of people in our watchhouses and corrective services and youth detention centres fluctuates daily.”
However, this response appears to contradict previous information released by the state.
In 2019, Police Minister Mark Ryan told state parliament that Coolangatta had a capacity of three beds and Southport had 73.
The Bulletin asked the Queensland Police Service about the discrepancy relating to the capacity figures floated for Coolangatta watchhouse.
A spokesman clarified the border lock-up had increased to seven beds.
However, they were unable to provide an explanation as to how the extra capacity was created in a facility built to house less than half that number.
State Member for Currumbin, Laura Gerber, said the data highlighted more detainees were being squeezed into the existing space.
“It’s pure chaos and crisis,” Ms Gerber said. “Our hardworking women and men in blue are bearing the brunt of it.
“Our local coppers are stretched to breaking point.”
The Bulletin asked Mr Ryan if he was concerned about the number of detainees being held at Coolangatta watchhouse. In a statement he said the facilities can be “scaled” depending on the circumstances.