Gordon, Leonard Raymond
Deceased
Leonard Raymond Gordon
Demographics
22y, male
Date of death
2012-10-09
Finding date
2017-02-28
Cause of death
Penetrating head injury
AI-generated summary
Leonard Gordon, a 22-year-old compliant prisoner, was fatally assaulted two days before his release date by another inmate in the protection unit at Maryborough Correctional Centre. The assault occurred while cell searches were underway and staff numbers in the exercise yard were inadequate. The assailant was a convicted murderer with documented history of violence and sexual assault. A preventable contributing factor was the presence of detachable metal exercise equipment in the yard despite prior identification for removal. Additionally, inadequate parole board processes left Gordon unable to secure suitable post-release accommodation, forcing him to remain incarcerated. The coroner found failures in supervision during searches and systemic issues regarding protection prisoner placement and release planning, though noted that prison capacity constraints limited accommodation options at that time.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- Inadequate supervision of prisoners during cell searches
- Failure to remove loose metal exercise equipment from exercise yard despite prior identification
- Presence of known violent prisoner (Glebow) in same unit as non-violent prisoner
- Inadequate parole board assessment procedures preventing early release due to accommodation issues
- Lack of centralised protection prisoner placement system
- Insufficient planning for cell search operations
- One officer supervising two units simultaneously
Coroner's recommendations
- QCS consults with the Queensland Parole Board for possible solutions to the issue of prisoners eligible for release but remaining incarcerated due to lack of suitable address
- MCC reminded of requirement to document/record significant intelligence and decision-making processes; consider increased monitoring and supervision during and immediately after searches
- QCS take steps to provide greater incentives for prisoners not wishing to go to low custody centres to continue contact with friends and family from local area
- QCS ensure prisoners presenting significant risk to other protection inmates managed in mainstream population on basis of limiting association with key individuals
- QCS implement more accountable progression process for protection units
- Implementation of dedicated case management system beginning at time of entry into custody
- Continuity of case management for offenders returned to custody on parole suspension
- Evaluation of redesigned re-entry service after 12 months
- Expansion of re-entry services to all prisoners including short-sentenced prisoners
- Establishment of intergovernmental taskforce to examine availability of suitable accommodation for prisoners and parolees
Full text
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