Townsville Youth Detention Centre Update

Three young offenders who were heavily involved in a riot at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville on Thursday night are currently being transferred to Brisbane.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the decision to move the offenders was made after extensive discussions with staff at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

“What happened on Thursday night was appalling,” said Mrs D’Ath.

“Since arriving in Townsville yesterday I have spoken to a number of youth justice workers who were present during the harrowing events of Thursday night.”

“For their safety, and the safety of other young people not involved in that incident, I have decided that the three people identified as being most responsible for agitating and co-ordinating the activities of others be removed from that environment as soon as possible.

“Those three young people are therefore on a government aircraft being flown to Brisbane, accompanied by a contingent of Queensland Police Service SERT officers.”

“Upon arrival they will be transferred to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, where they will be housed separately to one another.

“All three will face serious criminal charges in relation to Thursday night’s event, as will other young offenders involved.

“There are a number of staff who may quite understandably be too traumatised to return to work yet at Cleveland.”

“All staff involved in Thursday’s incident are being offered face-to-face counselling.”

Nine additional youth justice workers will immediately be rostered on to assist other staff deal with more than 80 young offenders who remain at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, while the government consults on staffing ratios.

“Again I wish to commend the bravery, dedication and composure of all youth justice workers, police, health workers and paramedics involved in Thursday night’s shocking events, and to assure them they have the continued support of the people of Queensland in the difficult and delicate work they do,” said Mrs D’Ath.

One youth justice worker who received severe injuries on Thursday is recovering in hospital after surgery.

As of Saturday afternoon, young people at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre remain in lockdown while repairs are carried out, and youth justice staff take action to ensure the centre is able to safely resume normal operations.

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