Extra capacity and staff for youth detention centre

CLEVELAND Youth Detention Centre is set for a significant staffing boost after the Queensland Government allocated it a share of $ 10.2 million in the State Budget.

The state’s two youth prisons, in Townsville and Brisbane, will split the additional 84 frontline staff the cash splash will fund.

Child Safety Minister Di Farmer said it was yet to be determined how many of the additional personnel would be recruited to Townsville.

Ms Farmer said a separate $ 2.2 million investment would fund the hiring of another 15 employee specifically for Cleveland to staff the additional 12 beds announced last month. The new capital works would take the capacity of the Cleveland centre from 96 beds to 108.

“Construction will shortly begin on 12 new beds at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville to make sure the facility can continue to deliver safe and secure accommodation for young people,” Ms Farmer said.

“Additional staff will contribute to the ongoing safe and secure operation of centres.

“They will also work rectly with young people hold them accountable dito for their behaviour and their transition back community.”

Townsville MP Scott Stewart welcomed the funding, saying he had advocated for “appropriate” staffing at the centre since it was announced 17- year- old offenders would be placed in youth detention.

“This is a substantial investment …,” Mr Stewart said.

“Also, we need to ensure that those in youth detention support to the centres get the support and guidance to help get them off the crime treadmill and engage them into education and employment programs that divert them from crime.”

In April, the Bulletin revealed Cleveland was overflowing with young inmates ( 11 over capacity), forcing police to hold youth offenders in watch- houses throughout North Queensland while room in the centre was freed up.