PRISON CUPID PROBE MATCHMAKING GUARD FINDS SOUL INMATES
A GUARD at the Stuart prison has allegedly played cupid for inmates, sharing confidential information to help them hook up.
An investigation is under way at Townsville Correctional Centre into the guard for the alleged sharing of confidential information and improper dealings with inmates.
Several sources have confirmed to the Townsville Bulletin that the guard, who works in the women’s jail, is accused of accessing confidential documents on prison servers to tell female inmates the location of male inmates, so they can write letters and organise “hookups” for when they get out.
It is understood that the information sharing is also going the other way.
Queensland Corrective Services ( QCS) has confirmed an investigation is ongoing.
Sources inside the prison said they first heard about the matchmaking from inmates, but several guards had made complaints about the alleged behaviour and information sharing.
“I first heard about all of this from prisoners, they’ll quite often write to each other, an internal jail mail,” one source said.
“This ( guard) had his own bloody version of prison Tinder. Women were coming up to him and asking for names of people they’d seen in court while they were there.
“He would go and look them up on the computer and give the girls all of the other prisoner’s details … he is sending all the information to them and they’re writing, and vice versa.
“He’s giving them tips about what their personalities are like and they’re telling people around the prison that when they get together on the outside, they’ll owe it all to this bloke.”
A source said it was a gross breach of not only prison policy, but it also put lives at risk through the alleged sharing of confidential information.
“What happens if one of these crims connects with another one on the outside because of this information sharing and he kills her? Then what?” the source said.
“How do you know that the information these prisoners want isn’t on the person who gave evidence on them in court? This compromises the security and safety of prisoners. It’s not good enough, this information is all confidential.
“Every crim that comes to jail is accessible on this database he has accessed. Who knows what has been shared?
“If he is showing a criminal this information, what will ( he) show about me, or victims, or other crims? It’s pretty worrying. And the guard is still working with the girls.”
A ( QCS) spokesman confirmed an Ethical Standards investigation was under way.
“QCS can confirm that Ethical Standards is investigating a matter at Townsville Correctional Centre,” he said.
“It should also be noted that no officer has been sus- pended. All allegations of inappropriate conduct, such as allegations involving the access or disclosure of confidential information, are treated seriously by the Department of Justice and Attorney- General ( DJAG).
“Allegations of inappropriate access or disclosure are referred to the Ethical Standards Unit ( ESU) within DJAG for assessment and if necessary, investigation. The ESU also immediately refers such allegations to the Crime and Corruption Commission, which oversees the conduct of public sector employees, and the Corrective Services Investigation Unit, which investigates potential criminal conduct.”
The spokesman said there could be criminal charges and disciplinary sanctions for the misuse of information, but would not comment further on the current investigation.
“In fairness to all parties involved and the integrity of the investigation, QCS will make no further comment,” he said.
“In 2017, no employees have been suspended from the Townsville Correctional Centre as a result of ESU investigations of misconduct and performance complaints.”