The shocking extent of violence inside Queensland’s two youth detention centres has been exposed in RTI documents obtained by the Liberal National Party.
The documents show a staggering 1248 violent incidents were recorded at the state’s two detention centres, in Brisbane and Townsville, between January 1 and May 31 this year.
“Our youth detention centres have become warzones,” LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to explain why the youth justice system is in crisis on her watch. “No wonder youth crime continues to increase when we have a revolving door youth justice system and detention centres that are out of control. “Labor urgently needs to get a grip of these centres and start properly rehabilitating offenders.” A total of 962 reportable incidents were documented at Brisbane and 717 at Townsville.
This total included 1248 incidents categorized as involving ‘physical’ and ‘non-physical’ violence.
These included 48 assaults by detainees on staff, 43 assaults by detainees on detainees and three assaults by staff on detainees. Other incidents recorded included:
“I feel for the staff who are struggling to keep control of these centres and turn young offenders’ lives around,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Sadly, it’s clear that Labor is too soft and too spineless to deal with this situation effectively.”
