Queensland Law Society has been communicating regularly with Queensland Corrective Services, the courts and other stakeholders in relation to their responses to the recent COVID-19 cases at Brisbane Youth Detention Centre and the Queensland Corrective Services Academy at Wacol.
We understand that, on advice from Queensland Health, the heads of jurisdiction have agreed that there will be no in-person appearances of prisoners from Stage 4 correctional centres today or tomorrow.
As at 30 August, these centres include:
- Borallon Correctional Centre
- Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre
- Wolston Correctional Centre
- Woodford Correctional Centre.
We are advised that QCS will facilitate videoconferencing where required and appropriate.
Stage 4 restrictions require mandatory use of surgical face masks for all officers in centres, and for prisoners when out of their cells.
A number of other centres have reverted to Stage 3 restrictions as at 30 August including:
- Palen Creek Correctional Centre
- Numinbah Correctional Centre
- Southern Queensland Correctional Centre
- Brisbane Correctional Centre
- Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre
- Helana Jones Centre
- Maryborough Correctional Centre.
Only essential workers including officers and Queensland Health staff are permitted entry to these prisons.
From 30 August 2020, Capricornia Correctional Centre has reverted to Stage 1 restrictions. Lotus Glen Correctional Centre and Townsville Correctional Centre also remain in Stage 1, meaning correctional centres from Rockhampton and north are in Stage 1. Everyone entering these correctional centres will undergo health screening and temperature checks.
More information:
Information for stakeholders can be found on the QCS website.
Up-to-date information regarding the COVID-19 situation including contact tracing alerts can be found on the Queensland Health webpage.
The Society is continuing to liaise with Queensland Corrective Services and other stakeholders and will provide further updates as and when they become available.
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