Cleveland management downplay youth detention lockdown, assault, violence

Staff members have spoken out against Cleveland Youth Detention Centre management after the centre was put into a three hour lockdown.

Staff members have spoken out against Cleveland Youth Detention Centre management after the centre was put into a three hour lockdown.

CYDC insiders have held grave fears for their safety for some time and on Wednesday they were realised when a group of detainees scaled the walls and climbed onto the roof of a building, reportedly destroying aerials and air conditioning vents as they laughed at police below.

The teens, two aged 16 and one aged 17, scaled the building onto the roof during their last education session of the day taking iPads and laptops, according to a CYDC source.

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Unhappy with the handling of the incident, staff members have told the Bulletin the centre’s management have downplayed the seriousness of the situation.

“The place is a ---show,” a staff member who spoke on terms of anonymity said.

“Staff were told by inmates (that) if any staff or cops try to intervene they would be seriously hurt.

The Cleveland Youth Detention Centre on Old Common Rd, Belgian Gardens.

“The police/riot squad were not called until three hours after the initial breach because management thought they wouldn’t need to raise the alarm.

“On the same night, kids were threatening suicide because they didn't like what was for dinner.”

Another CYDC source told the Bulletin that the “kids were running the show”, and guards needed more authority to properly defend themselves and take back control of the centre.

“The authorities aren’t giving them the tools they need to work properly,” they said.

“No doubt something terrible will happen if things don’t change.”

The source, who has a family member employed by the centre, said they’ve lost control.

“The guards there fear for their own safety.”

Federal MP Phillip Thompson said “systematic failures” have been ongoing for as long as 2015 when he worked there as a Youth Detention Worker.

“The writing was on the wall then and the management was told and I fear for what’s happening now that it will boil over like the riot in 2016 and happen again,” Mr Thompson said.

Police responded to an incident at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre on Wednesday night, with reports of multiple teenage criminals on the roof. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

“The Youth Workers are not supported through the higher levels of management.

“It is clear that serious issues at CYDC have continued to happen.

“I have had workers from CYDC come and see me and meet with me for about 12 months, I wrote to Di Farmer as well the QPS Minister to tell them of seriousness of assaults happening and there response was that the workers are great at their job.”

The Children and Youth Justice Leanne Linard Minister told the Bulletin the latest incident has prompted a review of deescalation policies.

“In response to recent events, the Department is currently providing extra training for staff,”

“It has been undertaking a review of de-escalation actions and techniques, in collaboration with QLD Police, to ensure staff have all the skills they need to manage violent and aggressive behaviour.

“A working group is also in place to review current practices, processes and strategies, including strengthening the safety and security for identified high risk young people.

“In the past two weeks an action plan to address recent incidents and improve practices on the ground has been agreed by staff and unions.”

Originally published as Cleveland management downplay youth detention lockdown, assault, violence