Claim of four kids to Cairns watch house cell as juvi system bursts at the seams
Teen offenders are said to be sleeping four to a cell in the Cairns watch house as authorities work to manage overcrowded juvenile detention facilities resulting from a Far North crime surge.
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TEEN offenders are sleeping up to four to cell in the Cairns watch house, according to a youth worker, as authorities work to manage overcrowded juvenile detention facilities resulting from a Far North property crime surge.
Townsville’s Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, where Cairns juveniles are sent when handed a custodial sentence, is currently operating at maximum inmate capacity.
A community service sector worker having witnessed the situation at the Cairns watch house first hand said some of the kids in police custody are as young as 11-years-old.
“We are helpless to do anything about it,” she said.
“They are in cells a couple of metres wide and (police) have three boys in the there.
“Children are in detention in watch houses all the way down to Brisbane.
“Cleveland (Youth Detention Centre) is full, there’s nowhere for them to go. They just have to stay in the watch house.”
The Cairns watch house is the largest in Queensland outside of Brisbane, and has the capacity to hold more than 100 detainees.
Stakeholders visiting youth detainees are understood to be advocating for recognition of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Children by the state government.
Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good chief Merrisa Nona agreed there was an escalating situation in regard to youth detainees at the Cairns watch house.
“What is currently happening right now is not working,” she said.
A spokesman for Queensland Police said officers combating property crime had meant offenders are continually being taken into custody.
“Comprehensive bail objections are resulting in an increase in persons being held awaiting court appearances,” she said.
However police refused to state how many youths were currently locked up in the Cairns watch house, how long they were being held before being transferred to the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre or if minors were serving time in the police lock up after being sentenced.
“Capacity figures are closely monitored and transfers between watch houses and detention facilities are instigated when needed, to appropriately accommodate the operations of the watch house and welfare of those in custody,” the spokeswoman said.
“Young people who are remanded in QPS custody are segregated from other prisoners”
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Originally published as Claim of four kids to Cairns watch house cell as juvi system bursts at the seams
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