'Selfie' from a Townsville jail
A HIGH security prisoner posted a “selfie” from his Queensland prison cell and posted it on his Facebook page in a major security breach.
Seven News can reveal the incident sparked a police investigation into how inmate Aubrey Walsh obtained a mobile phone with internet access, which are both banned within Queensland jails.
Dressed in prison issued khakis and white sunglasses, Walsh posed for a shot in his sparsely decorated cell at Townsville Correction Centre on February 8.
Walsh also had access to editing apps so he could plaster his prisoner identification number D90337 across the photograph.
Six people commented on his February 8 posting with some friends asking him to call them. And a relative sent Walsh a private message with her mobile telephone number so he could call and wish her happy birthday.
“ring me Wish me happy birthday”, the relative asked
“Watz ur numba dhn?” Walsh replied.
“I inboxed it,’’ the relative said.
“You ugly when u getting out (sic)..ring me to" a friend of Walsh’s posted.
Another friend posted on February 19, that Walsh’s photo was the “best selfie so far”
It is unclear how long Walsh - serving two years for assault at the Townsville Correctional Centre - has had the phone.
Walsh’s phone was seized yesterday during a search of the prison after the jail was locked down – almost two weeks after he posted the photograph on Facebook.
His Facebook page was removed following inquiries from Seven News earlier today.
Officers said Walsh’s former cellmate at the jail was recently found with a mobile telephone strapped to his genitals.
Mobile phones are banned from inside the walls of Queensland jails, for both staff and prisoners, and inmates are prohibited from accessing the internet.
Prison officials declined to comment on just how Aubrey was able to smuggle the phone into the jail.
The breach has been referred to Queensland police for investigation.
Prison authorities also declined to comment on whether people who had been in contact via Facebook and the phone would be questioned or charged.
Queensland Corrective Services today confirmed a prisoner was found with a mobile phone in the Townsville Correctional Centre.
A QCS spokesman said as the incident had been referred to police for investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
The QCS said it takes the control of contraband in prisons very seriously.
“Procedures are in place to ensure cells are randomly checked and information received is acted upon swiftly. Prisoners often take extreme measures to smuggle contraband into prisons,” a QCS spokesman said.
He said QCS continues to refine security processes and employee new technologies to control contraband.
