Huge jump in youth detention centre guards claiming WorkCover for injuries

Dangerous conditions inside Queensland’s youth detention centres has caused a spike in the amount of time workers are taking off for workplace injuries, new data reveals.

Traumatised staff at Queensland youth detention centres are taking time off for workplace injuries in droves, as sources reveal how dangerous conditions have become for employees inside.

New data from the Department of Youth Justice states that the number of staff who have claimed WorkCover benefits has almost doubled in the past three years.

In the 2021-22 financial year, 271 workers across Queensland’s three facilities, Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, West Moreton Youth Detention Centre and Townsville’s Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, were off work for an injury.

A Townsville source says the number of staff claiming WorkCover to simply feel safe was “off the chain”.

Cleveland Youth Detention Centre. File picture

“Because of the total lack of management a lot of the staff feel the only way they are going to be safe is to go on WorkCover,” the source said.

The state’s detention centres have been at the centre of multiple serious assaults at the hands of juveniles over the past few years, including instances where workers were punched, kicked, had bones broken and were hospitalised.

In February last year, three workers at the Townsville centre were assaulted by a group of four juveniles after they escaped their cells, stole their keys, and set upon them in a rain of punches, leaving them in hospital.

The data, released on a recent Question on Notice, states 189 staff claimed WorkCover in 2018-19, 246 in 2020-21, and 271 last financial year, showing a 43 per cent jump.

The average amount of time staff took off from work has also gone up to 43.26 days, compared to 39.45 days three years ago.

The source said employees were so scared of the understaffing issues that they hoped the centres would be locked down in order to prevent assaults from juveniles.

Youths rioting on top of a building at Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in 2016. File picture

“They are going through rolling lockdowns. Staff have said the place is going to have another riot very soon.

“Police have pepper spray or tasers … youth workers have a radio.”

Opposition spokesman for Police and Corrections Dale Last said the data showed assaults had become more frequent, more serious in nature, and that the government had not fixed the long-running problem.

“For years now staff at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre have raised their concerns regarding staff safety after being seriously injured, and in some cases sustaining lifelong injuries,” Mr Last said.

Opposition spokesman for Police Dale Last. File picture

“With every injury reported in the media we hear the government vow to act, but what these figures prove is that they either haven’t acted, or their actions have not been sufficient to ensure the safety of staff.”

Mr Last said the figures should be “ringing alarm bells” for the government.

A spokeswoman from the Department of Youth Justice said they prioritised recruitment and retention of staff.

“We greatly value the important role performed by our youth detention centre staff and their safety and health are absolutely paramount,” she said.

The spokeswoman said a new staff wellness office in each of the centres helped staff with short-term mental health services.

Queensland Government-owned WorkCover provides workers’ compensation insurance to staff who have suffered injuries and psychological disorders on, or as a direct result of, their job.