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Custodial officers injured – Brisbane District Court

Two Queensland Corrective Services custodial officers received injuries today while restraining an agitated prisoner at the Brisbane District Court.

A 25-year-old woman had been non-compliant on arrival at court, and following a risk assessment, three officers from Escort and Security branch escorted her to her hearing.

On completion of sentencing, the woman became agitated and required physical restraint. Two officers received injuries during this process.

A fourth officer then assisted with restraining her and she was removed from court to a holding cell.

The two injured male officers attended a medical centre for assessment and treatment – one for scratches and the other for bite marks.

The prisoner was transported back to a detention unit at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre by a high risk escort team.

CSIU has been informed of the incident.

Prisoners who assault officers may face additional criminal charges and further prison time. They are also subject to internal disciplinary processes, including loss of privileges.

Unfortunately from time to time our officers are required to put themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety and security of the community. We are thankful for their commitment, and for the important role they play in making Queensland safer for all of us.

Every day our officers interact with the most challenging and complex people in our society.

Officer safety is Queensland Corrective Services’ absolute priority. Every officer deserves to go home safely at the end of shift.

We take our responsibility as an employer to support our officers through appropriate training and provision of equipment, technology, and policy support very seriously, but recognise that we cannot remove all risk from the workplace due to the dynamic nature of correctional environments.

People who have been removed from society for violent or anti-social behaviour sometimes display that same behaviour in a prison environment, despite the best efforts of our officers to de-escalate situations.

When an officer is injured on duty, QCS is committed to supporting the officer and their family while they recover.