Consultation open for Maximum Security Units

We are currently undertaking a review of Maximum Security Units (MSUs) at Arthur Gorrie, Brisbane and Woodford Correctional Centres.

What the review looks at:

1. Proportionality of decision making - the legal framework and decisions that allow a person to be placed in an MSU. 
2. Effectiveness of oversight mechanisms and procedural safeguards - the information and support given to MSU prisoners to help them understand decisions, ask for a decision to be reviewed, or make a complaint.  
3. Daily routine and proportionality of conditions imposed on MSU prisoners - what daily life is like for prisoners in MSUs, and how they can access property, meaningful activity, and communication with the outside world. 
4. Effectiveness of progression pathways - how MSUs are used across Queensland and how prisoners are supported to progress and move back to a less restrictive part of the prison. 
5. Consistency and effectiveness of governance arrangements - how staff interact with prisoners in MSUs, whether they receive any special training, and how different MSUs work together to make sure they have similar ways of operating and making decisions.

Open for consultation

As part of our review process, we invite feedback about these centres from people with lived experience, such as:

• former prisoners who were placed in an MSU
• families of current and former prisoners placed in an MSU
• professionals or organisations who have provided support to prisoners in MSUs.

What we would like to know

We have put together some questions to help you tell us your views. These questions cover the things we would like to know about what it is like to be placed in an MSU. You can find the questions here.

How to provide information

To provide us with information, you can:

• send us an email
• submit a contact form.

If you cannot write to us, you can also phone us on (07) 3005 7000. When you call, please say that you would like to speak to someone about the MSU review. 

Consultation closes on Friday 22 May 2026 at 5pm.

Visit the website to see inspections which have been announced and are in progress – Inspections and reviews - Queensland Ombudsman

About the Inspector

Under the Inspector of Detention Services Act 2022 (the Act), the Queensland Ombudsman, Mr Anthony Reilly, is also the Inspector of Detention Services.

Under the Act, the Inspector must inspect each youth detention centre every year and each prison every 5 years. The goal of the Act is promoting the humane treatment of detainees and the prevention of harm through reviews, inspections and independent reporting.