Ryan stalling on review of ‘toxic’ prison

THE State Government has refused to commit to an independent review into the Townsville jail amid a raft of issues and a feud between workers and management.

The Bulletin yesterday revealed a letter that labelled the prison as a “toxic and vile” workplace had been forwarded to the CCC. The prison has also been rocked by a series of scandals 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 corruption watchdog confirmed it had received the letter but forwarded it back to Queensland Corrective Services to investigate.

Burdekin MP Dale Last yesterday called for Corrections Minister Mark Ryan to intervene and demanded a comprehensive independent review of the Townsville Correctional Centre.

When the Bulletin asked Mr Ryan whether he would support the review, he said: “There are matters already under investigation and those investigations need to be left to run their course.”

Mr Last was scathing of the response and said the community needed confidence that the investigation was being conducted in an “open and transparent manner”.

“My concern with internal investigations is the lack of transparency and the difficulties in adopting any recommendations which may fall out of that investigation, particularly where it involves significant changes to policy or funding commitments,” he said.

A Queensland Corrective Services official told the Bulletin previously there were culture issues at the prison, claiming management was working to address this and accusing disgruntled staff of having an agenda.

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

Mr Last said there was a major disconnect between senior management and staff.

“The culture at Stuart Correctional Centre at the moment is toxic and there needs to be a lot of work to turn this around,” he said.

Mr Ryan yesterday said the Corrective Services Commissioner was committed to an ethical and professional workforce.

“The commissioner has given an assurance that any matters that warrant investigation are being investigated,” he said.