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Authorities have shut down a controversial prison work camp south of Cairns and launched an investigation into claims by a former inmate that prisoners are living a life of luxury.

The former inmate yesterday broke ranks with his fellow prisoners to talk about his sentence of fun and freedom enjoyed during a recent stint at the Innisfail work camp.

He provided pictures of convicted murderers, drug traffickers and other inmates given free rein on unsupervised outings and detailed a life in airconditioned rooms with flat screen TVs, pay TV access, DVD players and ensuites.

Among the perks were:
• Roast chicken and Eagle Boys pizza for dinner
• Flat screen TVs with Austar access and DVD players
• Easy access to drugs, pornography and mobile phones
• Unsupervised trips for shopping
• Free time at the beach and waterholes every Sunday

He described life inside the camp as "better than living on the dole", with prisoners indulging in easy access to drugs and roast dinners on Sundays.

They regularly leave the camp's grounds on unsupervised trips to the beach and shopping trips at Innisfail every
Wednesday.

Just two hours after being contacted yesterday by The Cairns Post, Corrective Services Minister Neil Roberts ordered the immediate closure of the work camp.

All inmates were last night transferred to Lotus Glen prison near Mareeba while a dog squad combed the camp's grounds for drugs.

The former inmate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said he was amazed by the easy life.

"I couldn't believe it was happening, it was an absolute holiday camp," he said.

"You've got people convicted of violent crimes like murder and grievous bodily harm yet they're allowed to roam unsupervised every Wednesday and Sunday."

"Sometimes one of the inmates would even drive the work camp bus to his part-time job as a bartender in Cairns.

"The public has a right to know what's going on in there because it's an absolute joke."

Commissioner for Corrective Services Kelvin Anderson said the Chief Inspector of Prisons would appoint investigators to examine the allegations. 

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