Benn Schinkel's family pleaded for information in October to help solve the alleged murder after he was found unresponsive in central Queensland's Capricornia Correctional Centre.
Kenneth Leigh James, 25, and Leonard James Stanley, 26, did not appear when their cases were mentioned for the first time in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday.
They are charged with one count each of murder and extortion - demand with intent to gain benefit with threat of detriment.
Stanley was not required in court, his solicitor Andrew Bale said.
His case was adjourned to January 22.
James' case was adjourned to the same court on Monday when he has other matters listed.
The men are unable to apply for bail in a magistrates court because of the serious nature of the charge.
Schinkel died in October last year, the day after being taken to hospital with serious injuries, which police allege were the result of an assault.
The 31-year-old had been in the prison near Rockhampton for about a month and was eligible for parole about three months later.
He was jailed for a December 2021 dangerous driving incident, which left him with ongoing injuries and a limp.
His ute crossed onto the wrong side of a highway and smashed head-on into a semi-trailer.
No one else was injured.
Michael Schinkel described his son as a loving, caring person who would do anything for his mates and family.
During a police media conference in October he appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
"It's broken our family and we need to have justice," he said.
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