A glimpse into life in youth detention
‘Misconceptions abound’
IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH STAFF TO HANDLE THE KIDS, THEY OFTEN HAVE TO STAY IN THEIR ROOMS WITHOUT THESE PRIVILEGES. IT PUTS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON GUARDS. IF A FIGHT BREAKS OUT, GUARDS ARE USUALLY IN THE MIDDLE
THE inner workings of Townsville’s youth detention centre have been unearthed as an insider reveals what life is really like for the detainees who call it home.
A Cleveland Youth Detention Centre insider said there were many misconceptions about what went on inside the centre, including the lack of privileges and what really happened when there were too many kids for staff to handle.
The centre can hold up to 100 detainees inside its walls, both male and female, who have been punished by the courts.
The centre has often been labelled a holiday for these young people, with access to televisions in their rooms, exercise and school activities, but the source said these went down the drain when it was overcrowded.
“If there are not enough staff to handle the kids, they often have to stay in their rooms without these privileges,” they said.
“It puts a lot of pressure on guards. If a fight breaks out, guards are usually in the middle.
“You’ve got to be in the know. Often you’ll hear them talking about (a fight) and you’ve got to have your ear to the ground.”
The source said the detainees were shuffled to school every day, whether they liked it or not, and taught everything from maths and English to woodwork and music.
They spent about five hours at school, which was held inside the centre, and organised into rosters.
Just like any environment with children, bullying was rife, and it was “all about survival”.
“Often they bet on each other’s meals, and you’ll get some kids come to you who haven’t eaten in a while.”
After school, the children are taken back to their cells, fitted out with a basic bed, ensuite and in-built TV.
But the source said more sinister things were also happening, including assaults and abuse.
“When it’s overcrowded, also get tense.
“You always have to have your ear to the ground. The kids get restless, bored, and fights break out.”
There have been multiple reports of physical assaults on detainees and on prison officers coming out of the centre in the past year, some as serious as broken bones and guards being knocked out.
The Youth Justice Department has continually stated that staff safety is a priority at the centre.
Minister Leanne Linard has previously stated that a suite of “tough” changes to the current bail laws were part of a $550m youth justice “crackdown”, which included increasing the number of youth detention centres and beds. things
CHINESE state-owned media has accused Australia of doing the US’S bidding and trying to “suppress China”.
The take-down came in response to an Australian Strategic Policy Institute article that declared the Chinese Communist Party had four critical flaws in its strategic thinking about China’s future.
This included using “thinly veiled threats and coercive actions” as well as wedge strategies, thinking international relations was about “binary choices” and conflating leadership and dominance.
However, an opinion piece published by the Global Times on Sunday said this described the US, not China.
“All these accusations can be applied to the US’S practices and are slaps in the Five Eyes’ own face,” Li Qingqing wrote.
“ASPI’S blaming of China for ‘threats and coercive actions’ is completely groundless.
“China has never required other countries to pick sides between China and the US, let alone imposing threats.
“The US coerces other countries to follow Washington’s policies, including suppressing Huawei and confronting China on the Hong Kong and Xinjiang affairs.”
WASHINGTON: New York governor Andrew Cuomo on Sunday said he was “truly sorry” if his conduct had ever been “misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation” as he faced mounting pressure over sexual harassment allegations.
Mr Cuomo has been harshly criticised, including by fellow Democrats, after former aide Charlotte Bennett told The New York Times that he sexually harassed her last year.
The allegations came just four days after ex-aide Lindsey Boylan described unwanted physical contact from Mr Cuomo.
He issued a statement saying that “sometimes I think I am being playful and make jokes that I think are funny... I mean no offence and only attempt to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business”.
“I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal,” the statement says.
He admitted some of his comments may have been “misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry.”
But he denied ever inappropriately touching or propositioning anyone.
Mr Cuomo (pictured) said he had called for an independent review into the allegations.