Flood aid for jail inmates

PRISONERS at Townsville Correctional Centre were given increased access to phones and information during the flood crisis so they could keep abreast of the situation on the outside.

Queensland Corrective Services also confirmed prisoners due for release during the catastrophe were either made to stay a few days longer or were provided accommodation and transport to ensure they had somewhere safe to go.

It comes after the entire facility was put into lockdown at the height of the crisis due to a number of staff being cut off by floodwaters and unable to attend.

“The operations at Townsville Correctional Complex have been normalised,” a spokeswoman said.

“Due to the outstanding ef- forts from our staff, the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre operated normally throughout the flood apart from one day of lockdown.

“The men’s centre did have early lockdowns on occasions due to staff shortages. Impressively, apart from one day, the centres continued to provide clean laundry to Townsville Hospital.”

The spokeswoman said processes were put in place to support prisoners with families affected by flooding including increasing access to phones and the provision of assistance information to prisoners and visitors.

At the beginning of the rain event Queensland Corrective Services said the Townsville Women’s Correctional low-security facility was the only part at risk of flooding.

It is understood the women were unaffected.