New isolation procedures announced across Queensland

Tough new protocols have been introduced for all prisoners entering and transferring between Queensland prisons in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The new protocols announced on 8 April include requiring prisoners to undertake 14 days of isolation upon reception in all high-security prisons.  

QCS Commissioner Peter Martin APM said that the procedures were necessary to ensure COVID-19 was not introduced into Queensland prisons. 

“To limit the risk of a prisoner with COVID-19 being received into a prison, prisoners entering the correctional system are subject to isolation for 14 days with temperature checks and health checks by Queensland Health personnel,” Commissioner Martin said.

“Once the 14-day period has expired, the prisoner will be considered for placement in the general prisoner population once a final health check and temperature is conducted by Queensland Health. 

“We are also putting measures in place to ensure community safety. We will identify all prisoners who are pending release, and when a prisoner is 14 days or less from their date of release, Queensland Health will temperature check the prisoner to ensure they do not require isolation.” 

Commissioner Martin said QCS recognised the new protocols were a significant departure from usual procedures but were important to protect the health of everyone in the correctional system, including officers, health workers and prisoners.  

“You only have to look overseas to see the terrible impact this pandemic is having within prison environments,” he said. 

“We absolutely must take every step possible to prevent COVID-19 entering Queensland prisons.” 

Documents and resources relating to the above can be found on the SCOC microsite at intranet.dcs.qld.gov.au/COVID-19-SCOC 

If you have any further questions, direct them to your supervisor in the first instance or covid19taskforce@staging.qldcorrections.net.au