Warder concern deepens
A PRISON guard embroiled in an alleged sex scandal with an inmate’s wife was also investigated for allegedly firing a weapon near an officer during training.
The Bulletin has also learned of several alleged incidents involving the Townsville officer that were investigated including being caught in a compromising position with another staffer and falling asleep while on duty in hospital. Sources have told the Bulletin the officer was involved in an alleged incident during firearm training in late 2017.
It wasn’t until February 2018 that an investigation was launched by management.
The Queensland Corrective Services was unable to provide an update on the incident yesterday, but at the time said “preliminary inquiries suggest that all safety precautions were being observed”.
The Bulletin can also reveal the same officer was allegedly caught in a compromising position with another prison worker in a locked training building at the prison facility last year. The incident was understood to have been reported.
“(The) incident is a clear breach of the code of conduct and it is a disgusting act,” a prison officer, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
Sources have told the Bulletin the same officer was allegedly caught asleep at the hospital while on duty watching a prisoner.
It’s understood investigations amounted to nothing.
“Potentially a prisoner could have escaped, they could get drugs, they could stash contraband,” an officer said.
It comes as the Bulletin last week revealed a USB stick was seized from a prisoner’s cell at the low-security facility at Stuart. CCTV footage of the same corrections officer and the prisoner’s wife is believed to have been found on the storage device.
The revelations prompted the State Opposition to call for Police and Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan’s resignation. LNP leader Deb Frecklington claimed she could “smell a cover-up”.
Corrections Ethical Standards Unit are investigating allegations and referrals have been made to the Crime and Corruption Commission and Queensland Police Service.
It is understood the man has not been stood down and has taken sick leave from the prison.