Officers bashed at centre

A UNION has serious concerns for the safety of staff at a Townsville detention centre, after an officer lifted the lid on violence, assaults and the potential of a riot.

Together Union organiser James Douglas said there were concerns the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre was understaffed, saying assaults had spiked and staff morale had plummeted.

It comes after a CYDC source told the Townsville Bulletin of the abuse, staff shortages and potential of a riot after multiple officers were assaulted recently.

On November 13, an officer injured his shoulder when he fell to the floor while trying to pull a detainee off a prison guard.

A day later an officer was bashed to the point of unconsciousness by a group of boys, who kicked him in the head and body when he opened a cell door.

The source said tensions inside the centre were high, and detainees had talked about holding another riot, or even taking a female officer hostage.

They said staff were on the brink of walking off the job, with some already refusing to come to work over fear of their safety due to shortages.

Mr Douglas said the union had received the same reports of understaffing, which it had raised with CYDC management.

The Youth Justice Department stated there were 200 operational staff at the centre.

“We understand there is an issue with not enough staff at the centre,” Mr Douglas said.

“Some of that is people not being available for shifts and that issue gets compounded into regular assaults.

“There are efforts being made to recruit people, we’re raising the concerns about that.”

Mr Douglas said there used to be an “outside chance” of assaults at the centre but than ever.

“The assaults are (a more) regular occurrence than what they used to be.”

Mr Douglas said the union’s biggest concern was staff safety and the safety of the young people.

“It is also important that members get Workcover when they are injured.”

A department spokeswoman said the safety of staff and detainees was paramount. it was now worse