CCTV footage shows oppressive spit mask being used on disruptive teen at Brisbane prison

WHEN images emerged of kids being gassed and hooded in a Top End detention centre, the Queensland Government was quick to say there was nothing to see here. But CCTV footage shows an oppressive spit mask being used on a teenager at a Brisbane prison.

WHEN images emerged of children being gassed and hooded in a Northern Territory detention centre, the Queensland Government was quick to say there was nothing to see here.

Less than two weeks ago, Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath was declaring that there were no similar practices used to manage the state’s young ­offenders.

“I want to be very clear — what we saw in the Northern Territory was appalling. I note that tear gas, spit hoods and mechanical chairs are not used in Queensland,” Ms D’Ath said at the time.

But CCTV footage obtained by The Courier-Mail now shows an oppressive spit mask similar to a hood being used on a disruptive teenager at the Brisbane Correctional Centre in February 2013. The prison is the only one in the state to have a separate “boys yard” to cater for 17-year-olds.

Queensland, unlike any other state, treats 17-year-old offenders as adults.

“This is supposed to be the good prison. In other places like Lotus Glen (in far north Queensland), they mix with the general population,” barrister Damien Atkinson said yesterday.

The stark footage can be revealed after CCTV images broadcast on the ABC showed a male youth having his clothes cut off after refusing to take a shower at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville.

In another incident, unmuzzled guard dogs were used near female youths who were in a swimming pool at the ­centre.

Ms D’Ath ordered an independent review of the Townsville mistreatment allegations.

The state Attorney-General will now be under pressure to examine the approach to 17-year-olds.