Inspections and reviews

Inspections

Under the Inspector of Detention Services Act 2022 (IDS Act), the Inspector must inspect places of detention; youth detention centres, prisons, work camps and watch-houses. 

Inspection process

The process to undertake an inspection includes:

• planning and preparation
• onsite inspection which includes engaging with detainees and people who work in detention facilities
• analysing information
• report writing.

The inspection report is provided to the Speaker for tabling in Parliament. Inspection reports that have been tabled are listed under Publications.

Current inspections

Inspections which have been announced and are in progress.

Prisons

Youth detention centres

Reviews

Under the Inspection of Detention Services Act 2022, the Inspector has the power to review detention services. 

A review may be undertaken to consider a systemic issue that was identified from:

• the experience of a detainee or detainees, or 
• an issue in one or more places of detention.
  

The process to undertake a review includes: 

• Planning and preparation – we consider the scope of the review and send letters requesting information from various organisations that will be examined as part of the review 
• Consultation and engagement – we speak to key stakeholders, detainees, former detainees, professionals, and may ask the public for their views through a consultation process
• Onsite review – we observe the operation of detention facilities, gather information and speak to staff about what works well and what could be improved
• Analysing information – we review the information we have gathered and identify good practice and the key issues impacting detainees 
• Report writing – we draft a report setting out our findings and recommendations for improvement that is tabled in the Queensland Parliament.
  
  

Current reviews

Maximum security units

The review looks at:

1. Proportionality of decision making - the legal framework and decisions that allow a person to be placed in an MSU.  
2. Effectiveness of oversight mechanisms and procedural safeguards - the information and support given to MSU prisoners to help them understand decisions, ask for a decision to be reviewed, or make a complaint.  
3. Daily routine and proportionality of conditions imposed on MSU prisoners - what daily life is like for prisoners in MSUs, and how they can access property, meaningful activity, and communication with the outside world. 
4. Effectiveness of progression pathways - how MSUs are used across Queensland and how prisoners are supported to progress and move back to a less restrictive part of the prison. 
5. Consistency and effectiveness of governance arrangements - how staff interact with prisoners in MSUs, whether they receive any special training, and how different MSUs work together to make sure they have similar ways of operating and making decisions.  

Open for consultation

We are inviting feedback from people who have experience of MSUs, such as:

• former prisoners who were placed in an MSU
• families of current and former prisoners placed in an MSU
• professionals or organisations who have provided support to prisoners in MSUs.
  
  

What we would like to know

We have put together some questions to help you tell us your views. These questions cover the things we would like to know about what it is like to be placed in an MSU. You can find the questions here.

How to provide information

To provide us with information, you can:

• send us an email
• submit a contact form

If you cannot write to us, you can also phone us on (07) 3005 7000. When you call, please say that you would like to speak to someone about the MSU review. 

Consultation closes on Friday 22 May 2026 at 5pm.

We collect the information you provide, including your personal information (and the personal information of other people that you tell us about) but we will not include names in our report. See our Inspector of Detention Services - Collection notice for details on how we use personal information.

If you are providing information to the Maximum Security Unit review, please note that our role is to look at the systems, and the lived experience of people who are detained.  It is not part of the role of the Inspector of Detention Services to look at individual complaints.  Complaints about administrative matters in places of detention should be directed to the Queensland Ombudsman.    

Reports

Detention inspection reports that have been tabled are listed under Publications.

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Complaints