The Queensland Government is committed to:

  • keeping our community safe
  • supporting victims
  • actively tackling the complex causes of youth crime
  • targeting serious repeat offenders.

To create safer communities, and target serious repeat offenders, the department will increase youth detention centre capacity by building a new youth detention centre in the Cairns region.

Consultation will present the opportunity to develop a new youth detention centre in accordance with the needs of the community. Our vision for the youth detention centre goes beyond just addressing infrastructure needs; it's about creating a hub for positive change within the Cairns community.

Here's what you can expect from this new facility:

We acknowledge the legitimate concerns surrounding youth crime in Cairns. Our approach is comprehensive, supporting victims and combining early interventions with proactive measures aimed at prevention and rehabilitation. The detention centre will serve as a crucial intervention point, providing necessary support and services to young offenders while holding them accountable for their actions.

Cairns is already home to a range of programs and services dedicated to supporting young people and addressing the root causes of offending behaviour. The new detention centre will complement these existing efforts, providing an additional layer of support and intervention contributing to positive outcomes for young people and the broader community.

The construction and operation of the detention centre will bring a significant economic boost to Cairns. The development phase alone is forecasted to create around 480 jobs over 3 years, and generate additional revenue for local businesses, while the ongoing operation of the centre will provide employment opportunities across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and administration. Additionally, as part of our commitment to maximising the benefits for the local community, we will prioritise sourcing goods and services locally, further bolstering the regional economy.

An expansion of Queensland's youth detention capacity is urgently required to address the current and growing demand for youth justice facilities capable of supporting the complex needs of young people.

Key benefits from the proposed development of the new youth detention centre in Cairns are:

  • reduction in overcrowding of youth detention centres and prolonged stays in Queensland Police Service watchhouses while young people await admission to a youth detention centre
  • improved safety and security of youth detention centres and reduced violence as well as risks of injuries in detention, for both staff and young people
  • tailored and targeted intensive therapeutic interventions and programming to treat offending behaviour for those young people who reside in the Cairns and other Far North Queensland communities.

Establishing a youth detention centre in Cairns presents a significant opportunity for the families of the young people involved. Currently, these young people are transported to the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville (or sometimes down to facilities in Brisbane), which often disrupts their ability to maintain regular contact with their families, communities, and to Country. By locating the detention centre closer to Cairns, we aim to facilitate stronger family connections and community support networks during detention and when transitioning back into community, which we know are crucial factors in aiding these young people to turn their lives around.

At every step of the way, community engagement and collaboration are paramount. We are committed to working closely with the Traditional Owners of the lands—the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji People, local stakeholders, service providers, individuals and groups to ensure that the establishment of the detention centre is carried out in a manner that reflects the needs and values of the community.

About the centre

The new youth detention centre in Cairns will include contemporary design elements which aim to support rehabilitation for young people and improve community safety.

The features of the centre will include:

  • 40 beds
  • smaller, more home-like accommodation units (8 or fewer beds per unit) purpose-built to encourage young people, staff, and stakeholders to work together
  • consultation and treatment rooms
  • multipurpose spaces for education, skills development and training
  • areas for physical activity
  • green spaces
  • spaces for cultural connection, faith and spiritual support.

Centre statistics

Smaller, home-like accommodation units

40-bed capacity

Contemporary therapeutic design to support rehabilitation

The centre's design

Architects are leading the design of the new centre. The centre will reflect contemporary design and best-practice principles, including:

  • trauma-informed design
  • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
  • carceral geography (which considers how the physical infrastructure shapes the experiences of staff and young people on centre).

The built environment will also reflect First Nations knowledge and incorporate elements of nature.

The centre's design will support rehabilitation outcomes and improve community safety.

Therapeutic approaches

Youth detention centres play a crucial role in the management, rehabilitation, and reintegration of young offenders into our communities.

Research shows a shift towards more therapeutic models of detention will support improved results for young people and improved community safety. A holistic approach focused on rehabilitation that considers the unique circumstances and challenges faced by young offenders will contribute to reduced recidivism.

One of the key features of a therapeutic model is the emphasis on mental health support. Many young offenders have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, which can contribute to their involvement in criminal activities.

Although therapeutic, this is a place to consider the consequences of an offence. Programs and services at the centre will aim to help young people:

  • take responsibility for their actions
  • be held accountable for their actions
  • restore relationships
  • make positive choices.

The centre will promote prosocial values and behaviours. Evidence shows can lead to improved outcomes such as reduced rates of arrests and detention and lower rates of recidivism.

Young people will be helped to be aware of their behaviour and encouraged to make good decisions by promoting and reinforcing good behaviour. By setting clear boundaries and consequences for inappropriate behaviour, youth detention centres aim to teach accountability and responsibility.

Young people will be treated with respect and dignity at all times and encouraged to treat others with respect and dignity.

Finding the right balance of welfare, justice and security is essential in creating an environment that promotes growth and accountability among young people in detention.

Location

We are currently exploring potential locations for the centre, including:

  • undertaking appropriate due diligence
  • site investigations
  • community input
  • guidance from the local Traditional Owners.

Our aim is to choose a site that best serves both the community and the environment, minimising any potential impact on nearby residents.

The centre has been designed to provide a safe and secure environment for young offenders while also addressing their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Often people are concerned about security in surrounding areas of youth detention centres. It is important to consider that crime statistics show areas near custodial facilities do not experience higher crime than other surrounding areas.

Young people accommodated at the centre will be accessing it using supervised transport.

The locations we are considering have been chosen based on criteria, including:

  • sufficiently distant from high-density residential areas
  • close to
    • young people's families and support services
    • potential staff for the centre
    • court, police, health and Youth Justice services.
  • trunk infrastructure availability (e.g. roads, power, water, sewerage, telecommunications)
  • natural screening of the site to minimise visibility and disturbance.

Have your say

We welcome questions and input from young people, key stakeholders and service providers, local Elders and the community. Your contributions will make a difference to the design and function of the centre.

Have your say

Working at the new youth detention centre

Being a detention youth worker offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to:

  • support young people in custody to make better choices
  • directly contribute to community safety.

Positions will be available before the centre opens. They will be advertised on SmartJobs.

Learn more about detention youth worker careers.

What's next

  • Site investigations continue.
  • The project team will continue to meet with Traditional Owners, Cairns Regional Council and other key stakeholders to update them on the project.

Last updated 13 August 2024

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0)