Queensland concedes law imposing mandatory jail on some offenders as young as 10 breaches human rights
Summary
Queensland has passed a new law that requires some offenders, including children as young as 10, to serve a mandatory jail sentence of at least 12 months if they commit a serious offense while on bail. The government admits this law breaches human rights and may worsen overcrowding in prisons and youth detention centers, but argues it is needed due to repeat offending.Key Facts
- The law applies to children from age 10 and adults charged with serious offenses while on bail or who fail to appear in court.
- A “significant offense” includes serious crimes like robbery, dangerous driving, and sexual offenses against children.
- Offenders face stricter bail rules and must be held in custody unless courts are confident they won’t reoffend.
- Conviction of a second offense leads to a mandatory minimum 12-month jail sentence without parole.
- The law applies even if the offender is found not guilty of the first offense.
- Queensland’s government admits the law limits rights to liberty and may cause more overcrowding in detention centers.
- Human rights experts say the law removes judges’ ability to consider individual circumstances and could cause unfair punishments.
- Queensland already has the highest rate of youth detention in Australia, and experts say increasing jail time may not reduce youth crime.
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