Queensland unlawfully detained children in adult watch house without private toilet access, tribunal finds
Summary
A tribunal found that the Queensland government illegally held three children in adult jail cells without proper toilets, clean clothes, or education. The children faced poor conditions, verbal abuse, and long detentions, and the government has been ordered to apologize but will not pay compensation.Key Facts
- Three children aged 13 to 17 were locked up in an adult jail (watch house) in Cairns between 2021 and 2022.
- The cells had no natural light and no private toilets; children had to use toilets in front of others and on camera.
- The children were not given clean clothes daily or access to education or activities.
- One child was forced to wear an anti-suicide smock and stay in a padded cell.
- One child was verbally threatened by officers after hearing about a friend’s death.
- Detainees included one boy punished by being placed in a padded cell for making noise after 8:30 pm.
- The tribunal ruled their rights to dignity, privacy, education, and protection were violated.
- Queensland must apologize but was exempted from paying compensation due to a 2023 law.
- There are currently 45 children held in adult watch houses in Queensland, with some held for up to 12 days.
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