Qld jail rapist morally distorted: lawyer

A Queensland prison instructor who raped or sexually assaulted 10 inmates thought his victims enjoyed performing sexual acts on him, his lawyer says.

David Howard Wright, 53, was employed as a trade instructor in the prison's kitchen when he abused the inmates between 2008 and 2011.

Wright's offending came to light when one of the women complained after leaving the jail.

Others admitted they had also been abused only when authorities approached them directly, the Brisbane District Court heard on Wednesday.

Wright orally raped one woman on three occasions and at other times he would rub his genitals against inmates while they bent over, expose himself to them, grope them and make sexually inappropriate jokes.

"The complainants felt they had no choice but to go along with the offending and afterwards that they wouldn't be listened to if they made a complaint," prosecutor Sarah Farnden said.

Wright took advantage of their vulnerability because his position of authority meant he could control the highly regarded kitchen roles, she said.

With the benefit of hindsight, the remorseful defendant questioned how he became so "morally distorted" as to think his behaviour was appropriate and that his victims were consenting, Wright's lawyer Angus Edwards said.

"Although he still maintains at the time he honestly believed that," he said.

"Why would he?" Judge Terry Martin asked. "What perceived enjoyment did he understand the complainants were receiving from giving him oral sex?"

"Well, he obviously thought that they were interested in him, and they were enjoying sexual acts with him," Mr Edwards said.

"It doesn't sound that enjoyable or rewarding for the complainants," Judge Martin replied.

Wright was charged with multiple counts of rape, committing indecent acts and sexual assault.

Judge Martin said he needed time to consider the matter and adjourned the sentencing until Friday morning.