Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) can confirm two officers were bitten by a woman attempting to visit the Borallon Training and Correctional Centre (BTCC) this morning.
There was intelligence that the woman was trying to introduce drugs into the prison, and an attending Queensland Police officer directed two female QCS officers to search the woman.
The woman became agitated during the search and bit one officer on a forearm, breaking the skin, and the other on a thumb. It will be alleged a quantity of drugs was located on the woman.
Both officers were assessed by medical staff and offered support through the Employee Assistance Program.
The visitor was arrested and charged with two counts of serious assault and introduction of a drug into a correctional centre.
BTCC General Manager Peter Henderson said safety was QCS’ number one priority.
“Our officers manage the State’s most challenging and complex people and are the front line of public safety in Queensland,” Chief Superintendent Henderson said.
“As a top-tier public safety agency, QCS does everything in its capacity to prevent violence in correctional centres, including proportionate staffing levels and evidence-based management techniques.
“QCS will keep in contact with the injured officers to provide them with support. One assault is one too many, and for a visitor to behave in this way is totally unacceptable.”
Chief Superintendent Henderson said contraband such as drugs posed significant risk to prisoners, officers and visitors to centres.
Taking or attempting to take a prohibited item into a corrective services facility is an offence with a penalty of up to two years imprisonment.
Introducing dangerous drugs into correctional centres is classified as “aggravated supply” under the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, with a penalty of up to 25 years’ imprisonment.
Our best wishes go to the injured officers.
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