Prison damage in roof protest

LOTUS Glen Correctional Centre has been placed in lockdown for the second time in almost as many weeks after six prisoners climbed on to the roof causing thousands of dollars of damage to the facility.

It is believed the prisoners may have gained access to the roof through the kitchen, and extra staff have reportedly been called in from Townsville to assist with the incident.

A Queensland Corrective Services spokesman said there were no injuries.

“About 11.30am (yesterday), six prisoners gained access to a rooftop at the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre near Mareeba,” he said.

“Staff are managing the situation in accordance with standard response procedures.

“Once resolved, the incident will be referred to the Queensland Corrective Services Investigation Unit, which is staffed by the Queensland Police Service.”

A staff member, who would not be named, said the six inmates got on to the roof and started causing damage.

“They have smashed up the security cameras, they have caused thousands of dollars worth of damage.”

The employee said one of the prisoners got caught in the razor wire.

“Extra staff have had to be brought in from Townsville.”

It is believed that visitation rights have been cancelled for the weekend as a result of the lockdown.

Bernadette Kelso said she received a call about 5pm yesterday notifying her she could not visit her partner, an inmate at Lotus Glen, over the weekend.

She was due to visit her partner and transfer cash to him via the prison’s in-house system.

“It’s heartbreaking,” she said.

“We’ve been in court all week and sometimes it’s harder for the people on the outside than the ones on the inside.

“You so look forward to seeing them; it’s tough.

“I have to travel for three hours to get there so a lot of planning goes into these visits.”

Yesterday’s incident follows another breakout, where four prisoners climbed up on to the jail’s roof late month, placing Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in lockdown for at least 24 hours.