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ABC News
ABC News
National
Exclusive by state political reporters Rachel Riga and Kate McKenna, and Mackenzie Colahan

Children held in Queensland watch houses for almost 40 days, review ordered into escalating crisis

This mother says her son did not see sunlight while being held in a watch house. (ABC News: Michael Lloyd)

Children are being detained in Queensland watch houses for almost six weeks, with one of the state's most prominent former judges describing it as "shameful", and a review has been launched into the escalating crisis.

The alarming number of children being held for prolonged periods across the state comes as the Queensland government prepares to introduce tougher penalties for young offenders and public outrage about youth crime in the community. 

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