Centre back on detained youth spiral

THE reintroduction of 17year-olds into youth detention has been blamed for a busy and crowded year at Townsville’s juvenile prison.

Cleveland Youth Detention Centre had population management issues throughout 2018 and data obtained by the Bulletin revealed the facility took in about 100 more admissions last year than in 2017.

The statistics paint a frightful picture for the start of this year if the previous one is anything to go by; Cleveland was most crowded in the first half of last year, with January one of the busiest months, clocking up 82 new admissions for only 54 exits.

The centre housed an average of 94 children per day between January and June 2018, operating above its capacity of 96 for at least half that time.

This was a stark increase on the same period in 2017, which averaged 81 children in detention.

In late October the Bulletin revealed police had been directed to divert children away from detention where possible, as the State Government scrambled to deal with overcrowded youth prisons.

This was immediately followed with the only period of significant reduction in the number of kids coming in and out of Cleveland.

November recorded the lowest number of admissions for any month in 2018 with just 40. The previous 10 months of the year had averaged 72 admissions.

The Opposition slammed the State Government for their management of the youth justice system.

LNP deputy leader Tim Mander said the latest figures were more evidence that Townsville’s youth crime problem was getting worse under Labor.

“Labor have implemented soft policies, instead of cracking down on repeat offenders and putting community safety first,” he said.

“As a result, the youth detention centre is now a revolving door of failure.”

A spokeswoman for the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women said 17year-olds were transitioned into the Youth Justice system from February 12, 2018.

It is considered the major factor for the increased number of detainees.

“The Government has committed $9 million to build 12 new beds at Cleveland, which are expected to be completed early this year,” she said.

“An additional 15 staff will also be recruited to the staff.”