Visits to SEQ prisons cancelled

Due to concerns about the source of community transition of COVID-19 in Brisbane, all visits have been cancelled at in South East Queensland prisons effective immediately.

If you have a visit booked today, please do not attend the centre, as you will be turned away.

This means that all prisons from Maryborough south to the border and west to Gatton are not accepting visits. Only essential workers will have access to the centres after a medical screening, and masks will be worn.

These restrictions will be revisited as soon as Queensland Health advises it is safe to do so.

Visits are occurring as normal at Capricornia, Townsville and Lotus Glen Correctional centres, but anyone who has been in South East Queensland in the past two weeks is urged to not attend these centres.

We acknowledge the impact of these cancellations on prisoners and their families, and we appreciate your patience.

Virtual Personal Visits, prisoner email, phone and mail are available to help families keep in touch.

All prisoners in Queensland prison have been offered COVID-19 vaccinations, with very high uptake.

As at 31 August 2021 Queensland Health has administered 7,819 COVID-19 vaccine doses to prisoners across the 14 prisons in the State.

Of these 14 prisons, eight have completed the initial phase of the vaccination program (offering two doses for existing prisoners) and have moved to offering vaccinations to new receptions and any existing prisoners who initially chose not to be vaccinated.

The remaining prisons are scheduled to move to a maintenance phase over the next few months.

We encourage family members to get vaccinated as soon as they can if they haven't already done so, as vaccinations will play an important role in keeping our centres COVID-free and preventing future lockdowns.