Inspector releases combined youth detention centres inspection report

The Combined inspection report for youth detention centres: A report on our 2025 inspections of 3 Queensland youth detention centres – West Moreton, Brisbane and Cleveland, prepared by the Inspector of Detention Services, was tabled by the Honourable Pat Weir MP, Speaker of the Queensland Parliament on 5 August 2026. 

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

This report focuses on early days in a youth detention centre (YDC) and daily life, and the nature of services, activities and support provided to Aboriginal children and Torres Strait Islander children in YDCs.

The Inspector made 14 recommendations to the YDCs to improve their practices and procedures.

Early days in the YDC 

“Arriving at a YDC is a particularly vulnerable time for children, when anxiety, distress and feelings of overall isolation may be high,” Mr Reilly said.

“We were satisfied that the initial health assessment, education enrolment and case management intake processes are performed adequately. We observed admission processes that demonstrated steps are taken to identify immediate risks to children on arrival. 

“However, we did identify concerns in relation to the routine use of partially clothed searches when children are admitted, delays in accessing a phone call to a family member or guardian upon admission and issues with the induction of children in their first days at the centre.

“We found that staff and operational managers at both West Moreton and Brisbane YDCs consistently held an incorrect understanding of the policy and its requirement to conduct individual risk assessments [for partially clothed searches].

Daily life 

“We also reviewed the centres’ infrastructure, living conditions, children’s access to outdoor activities, and how children are supported to maintain connections with family and other external supports.

“Cleanliness and graffiti management at some YDCs have improved; however, children’s rooms are usually cleaned by children.

“We were concerned to learn that there is no procedural requirement to ensure the room and bathroom are cleaned to an acceptable standard in the time between one child departing an accommodation room and another child being moved into that room.”

In our inspection reports about Cleveland YDC in 2024 and combined YDCs in 2025, we detailed concerns about the frequency and impact of separations (a child placed alone in a locked room) and how this affected children’s access to daily activities.

“Separations due to staff shortages occur, but have reduced in frequency and duration,” Mr Reilly said.

“However, the amount of time spent in meaningful engagement is difficult to fully assess due to inconsistent recordkeeping [by YDCs] about programs.

“We are also concerned about the absence of documented decision-making [about leave], including whether any delay in communicating the outcome is justified based on available information.

“The decision to decline a child’s access to reintegration or compassionate leave (including Sorry Business or Sad News) can have significant impacts on their wellbeing.”

Service delivery to Aboriginal children and Torres Strait Islander children

On 31 October 2025, 68.2% of children in youth detention in Queensland identified as Aboriginal children and Torres Strait Islander children; however, staff currency with cultural awareness and capability training requirements is low. 

“Less than 50% of operational staff across the 3 centres were current with their cultural awareness training on 10 September 2025,” Mr Reilly said.

“Interviews with staff at Brisbane and Cleveland YDCs confirmed that staff understand participation in cultural programs and activities as a ‘privilege and not a right’.

“We are concerned that the perception of access to culture as a privilege for Aboriginal children and Torres Strait Islander children risks contravening the human rights of children in detention.”

The report also found gaps in access to cultural support outside business hours, difficulties in providing gender-responsive cultural support, and a need for Brisbane and Cleveland YDCs to re establish relationships with Elders’ groups with a view to increase regular attendance and engagement with children.

“At West Moreton YDC, we spoke with Elders who attended the centre regularly. They indicated that the centre regularly seeks feedback regarding improving the cultural safety and wellbeing of children at the centre,” Mr Reilly said.

Read the full report.