Inspector of Detention Services report on youth detention centres published

Inspector of Detention Services report on youth detention centres published

The Office of the Queensland Ombudsman tabled in Parliament its Combined inspection report for youth detention centres: A report on our 2024 inspections of 3 Queensland youth detention centres – West Moreton, Brisbane and Cleveland on 12 November 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).

Under the IDS Act, the Inspector must inspect each youth detention centre (YDC) every year. The goal of the IDS Act is promoting the humane treatment of detainees and the prevention of harm through reviews, inspections and independent reporting.

The Inspector, Mr Anthony Reilly said this report focuses on separations, use of force and restraint, personal searches of children, and health.

Separations

“We were particularly pleased to see that although extended separations due to staff shortages have continued at Cleveland YDC, their frequency has reduced in 2025 compared to 2024,” Mr Reilly said.

“A few issues were also identified, such as how separations are recorded; observations for overnight separations not being conducted as required; Brisbane YDC implementing staff shortage separations on the weekends; and the separation rooms needing to be cleaner

Use of force and restraint

“It was a welcomed observation from our inspections that children are not subject to the use of force arbitrarily and that most restraints are used on children for the shortest time possible.

“We also recorded that Cleveland YDC applies verbal de-escalation techniques before using force.

“However, we also found that some staff revert to use-of-force techniques that are no longer approved, the incident review model requires a more robust process, and that the activation of body worn camera by staff requires improvement.

Personal searches of children

“We found during our inspection that Cleveland YDC’s risk-based approach results in fewer partially clothed searches than at the other centres.

“We also recommend that that body scanning devices should be installed to eliminate the need for partially clothed searches at all new and existing YDCs.

Health

“Overall, the health services provided to children are of a high standard.

“We found that health services are prioritised at Cleveland YDC despite staff shortages.

“At Brisbane and West Moreton YDCs; however, delivery of health services is impacted due to staff shortages.

“Further issues found include high-frequency suicide risk observations are not conducted as required and that improvements in the process are needed for Suicide Risk Assessment Team meetings.

“We recommend an evidence-based harm assessment and suicide risk management policy to improve consistency in managing at-risk children.

Other matters

A few other issues that were highlighted during our 2024 inspections, include:

• Centre maintenance and infrastructure require improvement.

• Two units at Brisbane YDC do not offer daily access to an outdoor area. This needs to be addressed.

“We greatly appreciate the time that Queensland children in detention centres were willing to give us to engage with our officers and help us with our work in producing this report.”

Read the full report.