Your security classification impacts which prison you are placed in and the level of security that is imposed on you. This article will answer frequently asked questions in relation to security classification decisions in Queensland.

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Q: I have a low security classification – why am I still at the high-security prison?

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A low classification does not automatically mean you will be transferred to a low-security prison or a work camp. There are restrictions as to who can be accommodated in a low-security prison or a work camp. For example, a prisoner is not eligible to be transferred to a low-security prison if they have been convicted of a sexual offence, have been convicted of murder or are serving a life sentence.

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Q: What do Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) consider when deciding my security classification?

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QCS must consider the following factors:

• the nature of the offence for which you have been charged or convicted
• the risk of you escaping or attempting to escape from custody
• the risk of you committing a further offence and the impact the further offence is likely to have on the community
• the risk you pose to yourself, other prisoners, staff members and the security of the corrective services facility
• the length of time remaining for you to serve under your sentence
• information about you received from a law enforcement agency.

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Q: What if I’m on remand?

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If you’re on remand and not serving a term of imprisonment for another offence (i.e. on “remand only”), you will be given a high-security classification. Exceptions can be made for women who are on remand for non-violent, non-sexual offences.

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Q: How often do QCS have to review my high-security classification?

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QCS must review a high-security classification every 3 years. If you request that your security classification be reviewed and you haven’t made this request in the past 12 months, QCS must review your security classification.

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However, these rules do not apply to you if:

• you are being detained on remand and not serving a term of imprisonment for another offence (i.e. you are on “remand only”) or
• you are being held in custody on any of the following orders:
  
  • a continuing detention order or an interim detention order under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003
  • a preventative detention order under the Terrorism (Preventative Detention) Act 2005
  • any of the following under the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995 section 100.1:
    
    • a continued preventative detention order
    • an initial preventative detention order
    • an interim post-sentence order
    • a post-sentence order
    • a preventative detention order.

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Q: What if I’m unhappy with QCS’s decision about my security classification?

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QCS should give you a document called an “Information Notice” which says what security classification you have been given and why.

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QCS procedures state that an Information Notice must be provided to you in writing within 2 working days after your security classification decision is made.

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If QCS has increased your security classification and you are unhappy about it, you have 7 days from when you received the Information Notice to write to QCS by blue letter and request a review of that security classification. You should send that blue letter to the following address:

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General Manager, Sentence Management Services

Queensland Corrective Services

GPO Box 1054

Brisbane 4001

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Legal reviews of security classification decisions are only available in very limited circumstances. You can seek legal advice if you are not happy with your security classification.