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Queensland - Organisation

John Oxley Youth Detention Centre (1987 - 2001)

  • John Oxley Youth Detention Centre

    John Oxley Youth Detention Centre, c. 1990, courtesy of Lotus Place, Find & Connect Support Service Queensland.
    Details

From
1987
To
2001
Categories
Government-run, Home and Juvenile Justice Centre

The John Oxley Youth Detention Centre in Wacol opened in 1987. Run by the state government, it catered for children placed in the care and control of the State, and those committed to the custody of the State. Serious offenders were held in the same facility, and shared accommodation with children who were unruly, difficult or disturbed. The facility was closed in 2001 and replaced with the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, also situated at Wacol.

Details

The Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions (1998-1999) heard evidence about John Oxley Youth Detention Centre from 37 witnesses. It also held a public hearing specifically in relation to allegations of handcuffing at the Centre, an issue which had a separate section in the Forde Report of 1999.

The Commission's report states that John Oxley was originally established in 1987 as a centre for male and female adolescents, aged 10 to 15 and 10 to 17 years respectively, who had been committed to the care and control of the Director-General or who were on remand for offences.

The closure of Westbrook in 1994 resulted in older boys being transferred from there to John Oxley, and some overcrowding occurred as a consequence. Demountable buildings were constructed to accommodate the extra numbers. These were named Stradbroke, Bribie and Fraser. Other buildings at John Oxley were called Hamilton A, B and C (opened in 1999) and the Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth wings (part of the original structure in 1987). The new demountable buildings were said to be extremely uncomfortable in summer months.

The Forde Inquiry report contains details of several 'major disturbances' that took place at John Oxley, as well as escapes and attempted escapes from the Centre, and incidents of self-harming behaviour by residents. The report also discusses assaults by staff against residents, and between residents.

The Forde report contained the following summary of conditions at John Oxley Youth Detention Centre:

John Oxley was originally established for a purpose very different from the one it has been required to fulfil in recent years. Its design as an open centre, reflecting family residential models, was unsuitable for the security demands placed on the Centre following the changes in admission policy at Wilson and the closure of Westbrook. A range of problems have resulted, including escapes, major disturbances, and isolated incidences of violence among inmates and between inmates and staff. Furthermore, the
Inquiry has found that for many years the numbers, quality and training of many custodial staff, and some managers, did not match the requirements of their work and had consequences in terms of their relationships with and management of residents (p.170).

Location

February 1987 - March 2001
Location - John Oxley Youth Detention Centre was situated at Wacol Station Road, Wacol. Location: Wacol

Timeline

 1987 - 2001 John Oxley Youth Detention Centre
       2001 - Brisbane Youth Detention Centre

Related Archival Series

Related Events

Related Organisations

Publications

Books

  • Department of Families, Missing pieces: information to assist former residents of children's institutions to access records, State of Queensland, 2001. pp.15-17. Details

Reports

  • Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions, Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions, Queensland. Department of Families, Youth and Community Care, Brisbane, 1999. pp.162-175. Details

Online Resources

Photos

John Oxley Youth Detention Centre
Title
John Oxley Youth Detention Centre
Type
Image
Date
c. 1990
Source
Lotus Place, Find & Connect Support Service Queensland

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: Department of Families, Missing pieces: information to assist former residents of children's institutions to access records, State of Queensland, 2001. pp.15-17..

Prepared by: Lee Butterworth