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Brisbane Correctional Centre

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Brisbane Correctional Centre
Brisbane Correctional Centre, 2019
Map
Interactive map of Brisbane Correctional Centre
Location
StatusOperational
Security classHigh-to-maximum security
Capacity558
Opened1988
Former nameSir David Longland Correctional Centre
HM Brisbane Industrial Prison
Managed byQueensland Corrective Services

Brisbane Correctional Centre, formerly the Sir David Longland Correctional Centre,[1][2] formerly HM Brisbane Industrial Prison,[3] and also known as Wacol Prison, is a male prison facility located in the suburb of Wacol in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

This prison also took over housing inmates from the 1992 closure of the Boggo Road Gaol.[4]

This facility forms a complex of corrective facilities in the area, with the former John Oxley Youth Detention Centre across the road to the south-east (replaced by the nearby Brisbane Youth Detention Centre to the south-west), the now-closed Security Patients Hospital/Moreton Correctional Centre to the north,[5] and the newer Wolston Correctional Centre to the west.

History

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Opened in 1988, it was named for Sir David Longland (1909–1988), Queensland's Under Secretary of the Department of Works in 1957, and the State's first ombudsman.[6] Longland also undertook a review after the 1983 Boggo Road Gaol riots, which was about inadequate food and harsh treatment perceptions.[3] Starting with 240 prisoners in 12- and 24-cell blocks, it became a 328-bed secure facility for males.[2]: 8  In 1996, another 96 beds were added, and in 2001, an 18-bed maximum security unit.[2]: 8  There was also a detention unit for six inmates, and an isolation cell for two inmates.[2]: 8  Prisoners were able to engage in laundry, carpentry, and bakery.[2]: 8 

An inmate died in January 1990 where a former prison officer suggested there was a cover-up, but this suggestion was not supported by an investigation by the Criminal Justice Commission.[7]: 205  In March 1993 the violent death of an armed robber/attempted murder inmate[4][8] led to the "Angry Gang" going on to control drugs and extortion within the prison.[9][4] Another violent death occurred in September 1994.[4][10] A former inmate was charged in October 2014 with the deaths of inmates in February 1995 and March 1998.[4][11]

In 1997, one break-out included the "Postcard Bandit" Brenden Abbott.[9] A twice-murderer inmate was killed in October 2003 by another sentenced murderer.[9][12][13]

It was closed for two-and-a-half-years from 2006 for a $110 million refurbishment,[9] to allow for expansion given an increase of 86.6% in prison population over a decade from 1995.[2]: 1  Current prisoners were moved to primarily to Woodford and Maryborough facilities.[2]: 8  Cell Block B was to be demolished, six 50-cell wings constructed, and blocks 2C, 3C, 4C, and 5C combined to provide 48-cells per block.[2]: 9  In June 2008, the prison complex was renovated and subsequently re-opened to inmates.[14][15]

A 2008 complex hosted a unit specifically designed for 17-year-old prisoners,[14][9] which was later closed in 2019 due to amended laws.[16]

Facilities

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The new 2008 refurbishment saw the former Sir David Longland Prison change to become dedicated reception and assessment prison (as different to Arthur Gorrie Remand and Reception Centre/Correctional Centre, which was for non-sentenced persons).[14][2]: 1 

The correctional centre featured a new water conservation system, new electronic security technology, and improved design principles.[14] There was also a new maximum security wing for prisoners considered dangerous.[14]

The facility currently consists of 16 units, including a protection unit mainly for elderly prisoners and prisoners with sexual charges, as well as a medical unit for prisoners with serious psychological problems and suicidal thoughts. A typical unit has approximately 70 prisoners.[17]

Notable prisoners

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  • Geoffrey Robert Dobbs, labelled Australia's worst paedophile, pleaded guilty to 124 sex offences and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice on counts against 63 girls under his care as a teacher and youth leader from 1972 to 2000.[19][20]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "New prision throws doors wide open". Queensland Times. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Redevelopment of the Sir David Longland Correctional Centre" (PDF). Public Works Committee. The State of Queensland (Queensland Parliament). April 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 "The Bredhauer and Longland Reports". Inside Boggo Road. Boggo Road Gaol Historical Society (Inc.). 31 October 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 BASKIN, Brooke (22 October 2014). "Terry James Freeman charged with cold-case prison murders". Courier-Mail. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Security Patients' Hospital(1972—1985)". National Redress Scheme. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  6. ↑ "Sir David Longland CMG". University of Queensland Alumni and Community. University of Queensland. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Report on a public inquiry into certain allegations against employees of the Queensland Prison Service and its successor, the Queensland Corrective Services Commission" (PDF). Criminal Justice Commission. Crime and Corruption Commission (Queensland). July 1991. Retrieved 7 June 2026. Alleged cover-up of information surrounding the death of an inmate at Sir David Longland Correctional Centre
  8. ↑ "Murderers given life, yell abuse at judge". The Canberra Times. Vol. 69, no. 21, 651. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 27 July 1994. p. 9. Retrieved 7 June 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 CRATCHLEY, Drew (11 July 2008). "Infamous prison puts dark days behind it". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Inquest into the death of David Edward SMITH" (PDF). Office of the State Coroner. Findings of inquest. Queensland Courts. 17 March 2006. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  11. ↑ SILVA, Kristian (1 October 2014). "Murder charge over 1995 Wacol prison death". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "Inquest into the death of Mark Walter DAY" (PDF). Office of the State Coroner. Findings of inquest. Queensland Courts. 19 December 2006. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "Murder investigation as prisoner found dead in Qld jail". ABC News. 8 October 2003. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Spence: New name, new role, new era for correctional centre". The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory media statements. The State of Queensland (Department of the Premier and Cabinet). 11 July 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  15. ↑ Brisbane Correctional Centre Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine at official (Queensland Government) website
  16. ↑ Youth Justice and Other Legislation (Inclusion of 17-year-old Persons) Amendment Bill 2016. Queensland Government. 2016. p. 17. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  17. ↑ Custodial operations (PDF). Queensland Corrective Services. 2007. pp. Page 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  18. ↑ Nyst, Chris (defence lawyer). "The Usual Suspect". Australian Story (program transcript); 27 October 2003. Retrieved 26 January 2017.[permanent dead link]
  19. ↑ "Geoffrey Dobbs". Archived from the original on 9 October 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  20. ↑ "Child sex offender receives indefinite sentences". PM (ABC Radio Program). Aired 24 July 2003 18:34:00; Reporter: Louise Willis. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.

27°34′56.88″S 152°55′14.53″E / 27.5824667°S 152.9207028°E / -27.5824667; 152.9207028

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