Make a complaint about a youth detention centre
Part of the Youth detention topic
Youths in detention and their parents, carers and friends can make a complaint about a youth detention centre in Queensland.
On this page
In short
You can use this service to make a complaint about a youth detention centre.
You may be able to submit a complaint by phone, in writing or in person.
See How to make a complaint about a youth detention centre for the full application process.
What you should know
Youths who are in detention or who have left detention, and their parents, carers and friends have the right to make a complaint about a youth detention centre.
Complaints can be made about incidents involving other youths, staff or individuals.
If the complaint involves something that may be a criminal offence, it can be referred to police.
If you’re unhappy with how your complaint has been handled, you can escalate it by writing to:
Senior Executive Director
Youth Justice Operations and Reform
GPO Box 7096
BRISBANE QLD 4001
You can also contact the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman or the Human Rights Commission.
Who can use this service
You can make a complaint about a youth detention centre if you are a:
- youth who is currently in youth detention
- youth who has left youth detention
- parent, carer of friend of a youth who’s in youth detention or has left youth detention.
Don't use this service if:
- you want to make a complaint about a youth detention centre in another state of territory
Instead, make a complaint in that state or territory.
How to make a complaint about a youth detention centre
Choose how to make a complaint and follow the steps.
You can speak directly to staff at the youth detention centre to make a complaint.
- Youth in detention can make a complaint by contacting the Office of the Public Guardian. Use the phone in your unit to call the Office of the Public Guardian on 1300 653 187.
Alternatively, leave a message for the community visitor from the Office of the Public Guardian in the
communication box in your unit.
- Youth who have left youth detention and their parents, carers or friends can call the relevant youth detention centre and give details of their complaint.
- Youth in detention can make a written complaint by asking for a complaint form, filling it out and giving it to a youth detention centre staff member.
If the complaint involves a criminal offence, ask a youth detention staff member to send it to police - Youth who have left youth detention and their parents, carers or friends can make a written complaint by downloading and filling out the complaint form (PDF) or (DOCX) and sending the form to the relevant youth detention centre.
- See Find a youth detention centre.
How long it takes
The time it takes to resolve your complaint depends on what your complaint is about and how complex it is.
We will update you about the progress of your complaint.
How much it costs
Free.
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