A Brisbane Youth Detention Centre is a place that is designed to hold those who are considered troubled. It has a variety of different areas and services that allow them to get the help that they need. These include Health care teams and Staff training.
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Construction
The Brisbane Youth Detention Centre (BYDC) is under investigation by the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman after a series of events at the site. These included the riot that occurred in the facility’s common area. The investigation also examined the decision to separate young people and the subsequent aftermath of the riot.
The construction of the facility was a big undertaking. A multi-disciplinary team was involved. Faction Consulting was appointed as project manager. Other partners in the project include the Department of Energy and the Department of Public Works.
The project is designed to improve the lives of young people. It will add 16 beds to the current facility, provide four classrooms and teach areas, and provide more secure accommodation. It’s part of a $550 million package of reforms to the Queensland’s youth justice system.
COVID-19 restrictions
Queensland Health has confirmed the sixth COVID-19 infection at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre. The latest case is linked to a 77-year-old woman worker at the centre.
The Queensland Government has imposed gathering restrictions. Social gatherings will be limited to ten people in Brisbane and the greater Brisbane area from 8:00am on Saturday 22 August. In other parts of southeast Queensland, there will be a limit of thirty people.
The Government has released a list of venues visited by confirmed coronavirus cases. It has also stated that the quarantine zone will remain in place.
COVID-19 is known to spread like wildfire in youth prisons, and the number of cases has risen to double figures. The Department of Children and Youth Justice has warned parents and carers that there are now more than 100 inmates who have tested positive for the virus.
Health care teams
A recent study at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre found that young people in this facility are at a much higher risk of suffering from mental health problems than their counterparts in the community. In addition, the facility lacked coordinated responses to trauma.
The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs has put in place additional frontline positions to ensure that staffing levels at the centre are sufficient. The Mental Health Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Service has also introduced an integrated service for young people in detention.
Aside from onsite dental services, such as comprehensive examinations within the first twenty days of admission, ACS also offers referrals to offsite specialists for more specialised treatment. Other services include oral hygiene education and follow-ups for acute conditions.
Staff training
The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs ensures sufficient staff at Brisbane Youth Detention Centre (BYDC) to carry out its mission. In recent years the department has increased the staff ratio and added extra frontline positions. In addition, the department has increased rewards and incentives programs to encourage better behaviour among young people.
The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affair’s (CYJMA) has provided regular training to its operational staff. In addition, the department works closely with staff unions to provide adequate support.
The department has also introduced a new evidence based risk assessment tool to help reduce the risk of serious incidents occurring in Queensland youth detention centres. The tool provides a consistent framework for identifying and managing the individual risk needs of each young person.
Review
The Queensland Youth Justice Review is a step towards ensuring children’s rights in the youth justice system. The review will examine the practices of young people in detention centres, including the use of force as a last resort.
The Queensland Government will implement the recommendations made by the review, ensuring safety for all young people. They will install surveillance cameras in areas of high risk. They will also implement measures to reduce the likelihood of violence. They will also ban the use of security dogs for “discipline” purposes.
There was a significant increase in the number of young people in detention centres in recent years. This is largely attributed to the increased number of young offenders. The numbers of recidivist offenders in custody has also increased.