Indigenous boys : “Report Reveals Youth Detention System Failures”

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Queensland Leads the Nation in Youth Incarceration

Queensland has found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, as it holds the unenviable title of having the most children behind bars in the entire country. The state’s youth detention system has come under intense scrutiny for failing the very individuals it was meant to rehabilitate, with the Child Death Review Board delivering a scathing assessment of the situation.

A Cycle of Incarceration

The board’s annual report, recently tabled in state parliament, revealed a disturbing trend. Out of the 72 juvenile deaths known to the child protection system in 2022/23, six occurred within the Queensland youth justice system. What’s even more alarming is that a case study of two Indigenous boys who tragically lost their lives after spending a significant amount of time in detention found that their deaths were preventable.

Roots of Trauma

Both boys had endured upbringings marred by violence, substance abuse, neglect, and family disconnection. Their experiences in detention only served to compound their trauma, leading to further disconnection and hopelessness. The board’s chairman, Luke Twyford, minced no words in stating that the current model of detention is clearly not achieving its intended goals.

A Broken System

The board highlighted the need for a youth justice system that provides trauma-informed responses to address the underlying issues of young offenders. Instead, the system has been found to perpetuate a negative cycle of punitive practices that only serve to trap these individuals in a cycle of incarceration.

Overrepresentation of Indigenous Youth

Distressingly, First Nations children are significantly overrepresented in Queensland’s youth justice system. In 2021-22, 64% of 10- to 17-year-olds under youth justice supervision and 66% in detention were identified as Indigenous. The report also highlighted the stark disparity in the likelihood of Indigenous juveniles ending up in detention compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts.

Government Response

In response to mounting concerns over youth crime and capacity issues, the state government has embarked on the construction of two new detention centres in Queensland. This move comes on the heels of controversial legislation passed in 2023, allowing for the use of police watch houses and adult prisons as youth detention centres in exceptional circumstances, a move that has raised ethical and human rights concerns.

The completion of the Woodford and Cairns detention centres in 2026 and 2027 is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the systemic failures within Queensland’s youth justice system. It is hoped that these new facilities will provide a more conducive environment for rehabilitation and reintegration, breaking the cycle of incarceration that has plagued the state’s youth for far too long.

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