In the lead-up to the Queensland state election, the Liberal National Party has been touting a tough-on-crime approach with their slogan “Adult Crime, Adult Time”. On the surface, it may sound like a compelling promise to keep communities safe. However, experts and advocates are sounding the alarm that this hardline rhetoric will only exacerbate an already strained youth justice system without delivering real solutions.
Overcrowded Youth Detention Centers at Breaking Point
Queensland’s youth detention centers are already operating well over capacity, with all three facilities exceeding their safe limits according to a June report from the auditor general. Aimee McVeigh, CEO of the Queensland Council of Social Service, warns that the LNP’s policy would put even more pressure on this overburdened system.
We’ll need more facilities if we’re detaining more children for longer.
– Aimee McVeigh, QCOSS
New youth remand centers are currently under construction in Wacol and Cairns, with another planned for Woodford at an eye-watering cost of $627 million to taxpayers. McVeigh argues that Queenslanders deserve to know just how many more detention centers will be needed and at what price tag if “Adult Crime, Adult Time” becomes a reality.
Deteriorating Conditions in Watch Houses
With youth detention centers full, many children are being held in ill-equipped watch houses intended for short-term stays. McVeigh recently toured the Cairns watch house and described the grim conditions:
- Cramped concrete cells with two children per cell
- No privacy when using metal toilet in full view of others
- Lack of natural light, fresh air, and exercise space
- No access to education or rehabilitation programs
These punitive environments are more likely to compound trauma and behavioral issues than provide a path to reform. As McVeigh notes, a boy who had been detained in a cell for five days appeared “quiet and subdued” as she left. “He shouldn’t be in a watch house; it won’t make things better for any of us,” she reflected.
Detention Increases Reoffending Risk
Studies consistently show that incarcerating children, especially for extended periods, actually increases their likelihood of committing further offenses upon release. Far from enhancing public safety, “Adult Crime, Adult Time” risks trapping more young people in the revolving door of the criminal justice system.
The evidence is clear that children and young people who have been through detention are only more at risk of committing offences when they return to the community.
– Aimee McVeigh, QCOSS
Rather than a knee-jerk turn to longer sentences, child advocates argue for evidence-based interventions that address the root causes of offending, such as poverty, abuse, mental health issues, and substance misuse. Therapeutic and diversionary programs have proven far more effective at rehabilitating youth and preventing future crimes.
Fear-Driven Policy Comes With High Costs
While “Adult Crime, Adult Time” may be a politically convenient slogan that plays on voters’ fears, experts caution that it ultimately represents an expensive and ineffective approach to youth justice. Beyond the financial burden of building and operating more detention centers, society bears the long-term costs of failing to adequately support vulnerable children.
McVeigh sums up the choice facing Queenslanders: “Improving community safety is something all governments should focus on… Word and slogans that speak directly to our fears can seem soothing when we’re worried about the safety of our families. It is hard to be clear eyed in the face of fear but, when it comes to youth crime, that’s what’s required.“
As the state heads to the polls, it remains to be seen whether facts and evidence can triumph over politically charged rhetoric in the crucial debate over youth justice reform. The wellbeing of Queensland’s most vulnerable children, and the safety of the wider community, may well depend on it.
