Prison video probe

A TOWNSVILLE prison officer has been stood down amid allegations of deliberately obstructing CCTV footage of an incident.

The Queensland Correctional Service said the custodial correctional officer had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation into allegations he knowingly impeded the recording in March last year.

“As the matter is subject to a confidential discipline process, it is not appropriate to comment further at this time,” Queensland Correctional Service said in statement yesterday.

The department said it was committed to the highest standards of conduct, transparency and accountability and expected the highest in professional and ethical behaviour from officers.

“Our officers play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of the community by managing some of the most challenging people in society in highly dynamic situations.

“To do this effectively and humanely, it is important that their behaviour is appropriate and proportionate to the circumstances.”

The Townsville Correctional Centre has been rocked by a series of scandals in recent months, including an investigation into an alleged sex tryst, staff protesting amid safety and wage concerns, allegations of overcrowding and attacks on both staff and inmates.

The department has conceded there were cultural issues at the prison and claimed management had been working to address them.

However, a prison source claimed the Townsville Correctional Centre was “the worst prison in the state”.

In June, the Townsville Bulletin revealed a prison officer was under investigation amid allegations he was linked to a USB stick that was seized from an inmate’s cell.

It is now the subject of an Ethical Standards Unit investigation. The officer has not been stood down and is understood to be on personal leave.

The Bulletin has repeatedly asked Queensland Correctional Service why the officer hasn’t been stood down pending the investigation but it has refused to comment.