Inspector of Detention Services: Annual operational report 2024-25 published

Inspector of Detention Services: Annual operational report 2024–25 published

The Office of the Queensland Ombudsman tabled in Parliament its Inspector of Detention Services: Annual operational report 2024–25 on 20 October 2025.

Under the Inspector of Detention Services Act 2022 (IDS Act), the Queensland Ombudsman, Mr Anthony Reilly, is also the Inspector of Detention Services (Inspector).

The IDS annual operational report for the 2024–25 financial year highlights significant milestones achieved in its second year of operations since it fully commenced on 1 July 2023.

The Inspector, Mr Anthony Reilly said the purpose of the IDS Act is to improve detention services, with a focus on promoting and upholding the humane treatment and conditions of detainees and preventing them from being subject to harm.

“During the reporting period we inspected 3 youth detention centres and 3 adult correctional centres.

“In the same period, we produced 4 reports about 5 inspections, including the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre inspection report, Cairns and Murgon watch-houses inspection report, Southern Queensland Correctional Centre inspection report and Palen Creek Correctional Centre inspection report.

As per s 21 of the IDS Act, this annual operational report includes an evaluation of the actions taken in response to the recommendations made in 3 of those reports.

“We greatly appreciate the efforts by agencies in relation to implementation,” he said.

“It is a positive outcome that during this reporting period, 98% of our 71 evaluated recommendations were fully implemented, partially implemented or accepted and yet to be implemented by the centres.

“I also wish to acknowledge the Queensland Police Service Watch-house Review and welcome the consideration that it gave to many of the issues raised in our report on the detention of children at Cairns and Murgon watch-houses.

“Our standards for inspections for youth detention centres and prisons were published in 2023. We will draw on the above review, and other sources, to inform the development of standards for inspection of watch-houses in 2025–26.

“Due to the continuing over-representation of Australian First Nations people in our detention centres, we prioritise engagement with Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

“During our inspection of the Capricornia Correctional Centre, I was fortunate to have the chance to listen to First Nations Elders from Rockhampton, Mackay and Woorabinda who travel regularly to the prison to support Aboriginal men and Torres Strait Islander men. I greatly appreciated their time, generosity and insight.

“In this report, we are required to include referrals to a minister under s 17(5)(b) of the IDS Act. During 2024–25, we made one referral regarding the carrying out of observations of young people at a youth detention centre. Further information is provided in the body of the report.

“Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to those fellow Queenslanders who are held in places of detention for their willingness to engage with our officers and assist our work.”

Read the full report.