Inspector releases Brisbane Correctional Centre inspection report
27 Apr 2026
Reports
The Brisbane Correctional Centre inspection report, prepared by the Inspector of Detention Services, was tabled on Friday 24 Aprilby the Honourable Pat Weir MP, Speaker of the Queensland Parliament.
The Queensland Ombudsman, Mr Anthony Reilly, is also the Inspector of Detention Services (Inspector).
The Inspector must inspect each correctional centre every 5 years. The goal is promoting the humane treatment of detainees and the prevention of harm through reviews, inspections and independent reporting.
The Brisbane Correctional Centre is a secure facility for male prisoners, located in the Brisbane suburb of Wacol.
The Inspector, Mr Anthony Reilly, said this report focuses on positive practices, identifies systemic challenges and has recommendations for areas of improvement.
“Our inspection found positive practices at the centre,” Mr Reilly said.
“This included the appropriate management of use of force incidents, as well as how the centre identifies opportunities for improvement and puts changes in place after force has been used on a prisoner.
“We also found that staff treated visitors with respect, visit applications were processed efficiently and escort officers treated prisoners attending hospital with compassion.”
The report makes 55 recommendations about areas for improvement, such as issues of overcrowding and limited infrastructure in the centre and includes:
- reviewing bullying and violence reduction policies
- ensuring all prisoners have access to purposeful activity, education opportunities and increased opportunities for employment
- developing an action plan to reduce demand and harm around substance abuse
- reviewing record management processes
- reviewing the medical centre facilities.
“At a system level, we also identified that Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) should address overcrowding,” Mr Reilly said.
“As highlighted during June 2024, the centre was operating and accommodating 168% more prisoners than the number of purpose-built cells available.
“We also recommended that the centre amends the use of modified unit routines that limits the number of prisoners who are unlocked and free to associate at one time.
“We identified that QCS should improve decision-making processes for shared cell accommodation, including processes to identify prisoners under investigation for sexually assaulting other prisoners.
“We recommended QCS review options to increase staff presence in the units at night and review programs offered to prisoners to ensure program waitlists are managed appropriately.”
Read the full report.