Self- harm rampant in youth detention

AN inspection of Townsville’s youth detention centre has found high incidents of selfharm, harsh use of restraints after suicide attempts and children cleaning up urine.

Inspectors who visited Cleveland Youth Detention Centre earlier this year expressed concerns about separation rooms, where one boy self- harmed in the school precinct of the centre.

The full inspection report for the March quarter, gained under Right To Information laws, shows there is no formal standing order for staff to monitor children locked in the rooms and several said they urinated on the floor in the absence of toilet facilities.

The inspectors, who visited the centre for five days, were highly critical of the treatment of a troubled 16- year- old boy, referred to as YP- L, who twice in a month climbed onto the roof. The second time, when he fell or jumped with a rope around his neck, was described as “one of the most serious and potentially fatal incidents of self- harm within Queensland youth detention centres in recent years”.

YP- L was subsequently handcuffed and escorted by two staff members whenever he wasn’t inside his accommodation unit, including during visits with his baby.

“Considering the reason YP- L made the roof ascent was over trauma associated with restricted family contact, keeping him handcuffed through visits was a questionable decision at the least,” the report said.

“The inspectorate is of the opinion that it would be difficult for any person to be able to safely and securely hold a baby when handcuffed.”

Inspectors found the use of restraints would not meet regulations and called their implementation during family visits “extraordinary” and “excessive”.

Cleveland’s 30 incidents of self- harm last year far exceeded the four in the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, despite the southern facility holding double the number of young people.

For information about suicide prevention contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.