Qld govt must reopen old prison: oppn

Queensland's government must reopen a jail west of Brisbane to ease prison congestion, the opposition says.

The fledgling Labor government is yet to commit to reopening Borallon prison, or any other measures, to ease congestion despite a rise in assaults in state jails.

Opposition corrective services spokesman Jarrod Bleijie says the jail on the outskirts of Ipswich would provide room for 500 inmates and the government has no good reason to delay its reopening.