1. Children in detention slipping through the cracks
2. Overlooked youth in detention centers.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : A recent study has revealed the detrimental effects of prolonged isolation on children in detention facilities, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. According to experts, such prolonged periods of isolation can lead to significant psychological damage and may even exacerbate offending behavior in these vulnerable individuals.
Dr. Hayes, a prominent child psychologist, emphasized the importance of providing consistent intensive support to children in detention in order to facilitate their rehabilitation. She highlighted the need for extensive government investment in prevention and early intervention programs, rather than solely focusing on policing efforts.
Furthermore, there are concerns about the increasing incarceration rates of youth in Queensland, with recent controversial laws allowing children to be held in police watch houses and adult prisons. The Child Death Review report further highlighted the alarming statistics, indicating that Queensland locks up more children than any other jurisdiction.
Youth advocates have raised alarm over the government’s decision to scrap detention as a last resort, leading to fears of a potential spike in youth incarceration rates. Genevieve Sinclair, CEO of Youth Empowered Towards Independence, expressed concerns about the detrimental impact of prolonged isolation on children’s mental health and behavior.
Inadequate staffing at detention facilities has also been identified as a significant issue, with reports of children being unable to access education programs due to insufficient personnel. Despite government funding initiatives for vulnerable young people, the lack of workforce to deliver these programs has been a major hindrance.
The Voice for Victims advocacy group has called for tougher measures on youth crime, but youth workers stress the importance of rehabilitation and emotional skill development for juvenile offenders. Locking up children without proper rehabilitation, they argue, only perpetuates a cycle of crime and harm to the community.
Plans to expand Queensland’s youth detention system with the construction of new facilities have been met with skepticism from youth workers. They argue that simply building more detention centres is not the solution to addressing the root causes of youth offending.
In particular, the high number of Indigenous children incarcerated in poor conditions has been highlighted as an international shame. Genevieve Sinclair emphasized that the conditions in which Indigenous children are detained would not be tolerated in any other country.
A recent court case highlighted the severe harm caused by prolonged isolation on a teenager in a detention centre. District Court Judge Tracy Fantin noted the detrimental effects of such prolonged isolation on a child’s behavior and mental well-being.
In conclusion, the need for a holistic approach to youth justice, focusing on rehabilitation and support rather than punitive measures, is essential to address the underlying issues contributing to youth offending. Increased government investment in prevention and early intervention programs, as well as adequate staffing and support for children in detention, is crucial to breaking the cycle of crime and improving outcomes for vulnerable young people..
1. Forgotten kids in detention falling through the cracks
2. Kids in detention falling through the cracks of the system.
