The man found guilty of the brutal murder of Queensland woman Toyah Cordingley has reportedly been placed in solitary confinement, with prison procedures also restricting his ability to wear his religious turban outside his cell.
Safety Order Imposed on Convicted Murderer
According to reports, Rajwinder Singh, the 41-year-old former nurse convicted of killing Toyah Cordingley, has been placed on a safety order at Wolston jail in Wacol, Brisbane. This order, commonly known as solitary confinement, restricts Singh from leaving his cell and interacting with other inmates.
The order was issued just one month after Singh was sentenced in Cairns to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 25 years. He was initially held at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre following his sentencing last month before being transferred to the Brisbane facility.
Prison Procedures and Religious Considerations
It is further understood that prison officers have informed Singh he cannot wear his pagri, or turban, outside of his cell as part of standard prison procedures. In a statement to 7NEWS.com.au, a spokesperson for Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) declined to comment on individual cases but outlined the general policy.
"Religious headwear is permitted as appropriate, subject to safety and security considerations and a prisoner’s risk profile," the QCS spokesperson said. This indicates that items like turbans may need to be removed if they are deemed to pose a potential safety risk within the correctional environment.
The Crime and International Manhunt
Singh was found guilty of murdering 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley on October 21, 2018. Cordingley was violently stabbed to death while walking her dog, Indie, on the secluded Wangetti Beach in Far North Queensland.
In a move that sparked an extensive international manhunt, Singh fled to India shortly after the attack, where he spent four years in hiding. He was eventually extradited back to Australia in 2022 and charged with murder. Throughout his trial, Singh maintained a plea of not guilty, but a jury found him guilty of the horrific crime.
Understanding Prison Safety Orders
The Queensland Law Handbook states that a safety order can be issued if a doctor or psychologist advises QCS that they believe there is a risk the person may harm themselves, harm others, or be harmed by other inmates. Such an order can also be implemented if it is deemed necessary for the security or good order of the prison.
While a single safety order can last for up to one month, they can be issued consecutively, potentially leading to a much longer period in solitary confinement. The specific reasons for the order against Singh have not been publicly disclosed by corrective services authorities.
