Adult-crime, adult-time: But gov don’t know how many beds are needed

The government is yet to ­measure how many additional beds will be needed in detention centres to deliver its signature “adult-crime, adult-time” laws, despite the legislation being slated to be introduced to ­parliament in just two weeks.

The LNP are yet to measure how many extra detention beds would be needed for their new crime legislation. Picture: Brendan Radke

The government is yet to ­measure how many additional beds will be needed in Queensland detention centres to deliver its signature adult-crime, adult-time laws, despite the crime legislation being slated to be introduced to ­parliament in just two weeks.

Modelling on the number of beds required for the Making Queensland Safer Laws – which will see detention as a last resort removed and children who commit serious crimes sentenced as adults – is yet to be complete.

There are currently 288 beds available across the state, with 98.3 per cent in use, ­according to Productivity Commission data.

The Wacol Remand Centre, first promised by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in October 2023, was due to open this year but will now not be operational until March.

It means the 76 additional beds set to come online will not be available to the government when the adult-crime, adult-time laws kick in.

Two new detention centres in Woodford and Cairns, which will add a combined 120 beds, are also not due to open until 2026 and 2027 respectively.

Offending rates traditionally increase over the Christmas holiday period, usually leading to a spike in watch-house detention.

Youth Advocacy Centre chief executive Katherine Hayes said watch-house overcrowding often led to higher rates of reoffending.

Katherine Hayes, CEO of the Youth Advocacy Centre. Picture: Dan Peled

“Every year we see breaches of humans rights in the watch-house, it’s significant and further damages young people who are then reoffending when released,” she said.

The Magistrates Court will also close between December 23 to January 5, slowing down the system two weeks after the laws have passed.

“A real increase in intensity of family support, support in residential care homes, bail support and, when released from watch-house, intensive wraparound support will be needed,” Ms Hayes said.

“It could help keep offending down.”

It is understood Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber, who was sworn into cabinet only a week ago, has instructed the Department of Youth Justice to undertake modelling on detention centre bed capacity.

Ms Gerber said other aspects of the new laws aimed at unclogging the detention system and streamlining court processes would assist in the interim.

“Circuit-breaker sentencing will offer a sentencing alternative to detention and our faster justice boost to the courts will ensure matters are heard sooner in our courts, leaving fewer offenders on remand in detention,” she said.

“Staying on Track will provide 12 months of post-detention support to effectively rehabilitate youth offenders and reduce the 91 per cent recidivism rate.”

Ms Gerber has also sought advice from the department regarding the feasibility and options for safety upgrades to existing youth detention facilities. On Saturday, there were 31 children detained in Queensland watchouses.