Young children held in police watch-houses

DOZENS of young children are being held in police watch-houses for days because detention centres are overcrowded, with further strains expected as new laws treat 17year-olds as youths.

Figures reveal 36 children were being held in police watch-houses this week, some of whom were serving sentences or on remand. Police officers are furious and say children should spend only minimal time there, immediately before their court appearance or if arrested after midnight. Brisbane City watch- house had the majority of kids inside this week, with 13 held for an average of five days as of Wednesday.

“Watch-houses aren’t for children,” an officer said. “Back in the day, if we didn’t transfer them straight away we’d cop a smack.”

The Government has changed laws to treat 17-year-olds as children rather than adults, moving them from jails to juvenile detention. Together Union, which represents youth detention officers, took the matter to the Industrial Relations Commission.