Independent review of youth detention

The Attorney-General ordered an Independent Review of Youth Detention Centres in Queensland in August 2016.

The review was conducted by Commissioners Kathryn McMillan QC and Professor Megan Davis.

Considerations

The review looked at the practices, policies and programs of Queensland’s youth detention centres. The commissioners specifically considered:

• existing policies and practices about use of
  • force
  • separation
  • restraints
  • incident monitoring
  • complaints
• existing oversight systems and processes
• current programs and services that address the issues behind offending
• the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention.

They also looked at allegations made by previous staff and young people in detention, about how young people were treated.

Outcome of the review

The commissioners made 83 recommendations in their report (PDF).

The report also acknowledges:

• the significant trauma that many young people in the youth justice system have experienced
• that this needs to be considered when the recommendations are implemented.

More information

• Find out how the government responded to the recommendations (PDF).