The Queensland public guardian says its community visitors have reported more than 550 issues on behalf of children detained in police watch houses since the start of this year, amid ongoing concerns about the welfare of young people in overcrowded and “unsuitable” lockups.
First-hand reports from watch houses, revealed by Guardian Australia in January and February, detail how the system is struggling to cope with an influx of children, the result of the state government’s “tough on crime” justice policies.
Last month the Queensland Police Service released video to announce the 1,000th young person arrested during a “youth crime crackdown”, nicknamed Operation Guardian.
The result has been detention centres at capacity and young people held for weeks on end in police cells, which are designed to hold adults for short periods.
A “cry for help” letter sent by a psychologist working in the Cairns watch house in January detailed “horrendous” conditions and alleged human rights abuses in the lockup, including claims young people were not being provided adequate food, medical attention or legal support. Others have warned about a “massive deterioration” in the mental health of children.
Guardian Australia also revealed that a boy, 13, was allegedly sexually assaulted by another detainee – a much larger, older teenager – in a cell they were housed in together in Cairns.
The Office of the Public Guardian – an advocacy body for the rights and interests of people who are in state custody or care – sends public visitors into detention centres and watch houses.
The public guardian, Shayna Smith, said data from the beginning of March showed that the average daily number of children held in police watch houses since the start of the year was almost 80.
“The government responses to youth crime have predictably led to youth detention centres operating at full capacity with a spill over into police watch houses,” Smith said.
“Since January, high numbers of children are being detained in unsuitable watch house conditions all over Queensland, some detained in their cells for multiple weeks.”
Smith said community visitors had made more than 100 visits to children and young people in watch houses this year and “raised over 550 issues on their behalf”.
“[Community visitors] are receiving reports that the large number of children experiencing prolonged detention in watch houses is leading to overcrowding in some locations,” Smith said.
“Overcrowding creates an environment for worsening conditions, heightened frustration and can result in incidents of physical and emotional harm occurring.
“These are the hidden consequences of detaining our children and is counterintuitive to rehabilitation and changing mindsets, which is essential to supporting them to put their lives on a different trajectory.
“When speaking with them during a visit, it is clear that all children want to be listened to, feel safe and loved. These are universal values, no matter what their age, gender or culture is.”
• Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html
