Being in a youth detention centre

Part of the Youth detention topic

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In short

Youth in a youth detention centre follow a structured daily routine from 7am. They go to school during the week and take part in activities and programs. Clothes, meals and essentials are all provided.

Why your child is in a youth detention centre

If your child is refused bail, they go to a youth remand centre or youth detention centre. If a court sentences your child to time in custody, they go to a youth detention centre.

Youth remand centres and youth detention centres are secure places for people aged 10 to 18. They exist to:

• protect the safety of the community
• provide consequences for offending
• prepare detained youth to live productively in the community.

Arriving at the centre

When your child arrives at the centre, they go through a process called admission. A staff member will ask them questions and tell them the things they need to know about being in the centre. Your child’s belongings are taken and stored until they're released. Dangerous items won't be stored. They 'll be given clothes, shoes and everything else they need.

Your child can keep family photographs in their room. You can send some to them.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation

Youth detention centre

Each youth detention centre has a number of accommodation units. Each has:

• a kitchen
• a lounge and dining room
• a quiet area
• an outdoor area
• several rooms for youth.

Each youth’s room has a bed, toilet, shower, desk and shelf. Sheets, blankets, a pillow and toiletries are supplied.

Youth remand centre

The youth remand centre has several accommodation units. Each has:

• a shared bathroom
• several rooms for youth.

Each room has a bed, desk and shelf. Sheets, blankets, a pillow and toiletries are supplied.

Your child will have access to an outdoor area at certain times during the day.

Food

Your child gets breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as morning and afternoon tea each day.

Dieticians review menus to make sure they offer appropriate nutrition and variety for youth. Most meals are cooked on site.

Staff can cater for health, cultural or religious dietary needs. Your child should let staff know about these when they arrive.

School, programs and activities

At a youth detention centre, your child goes to school Monday to Friday during school terms. The school also offers vocational courses like hospitality, bricklaying and horticulture.

At the youth remand centre your child will do schoolwork from Monday to Friday during school terms.

Outside school hours and on weekends, your child will do programs to help them change their behaviour as well as activities like art, music, Indigenous dance and sport.

Daily schedule

Your child will follow what's called a structured day. It starts at 7am and usually ends between 7.30pm and 7.45pm.

Monday to Friday

• Wake, shower, dress and clean room
• Breakfast and chores
• School or program
• Morning tea
• School or program
• Lunch
• School or program
• Afternoon tea
• School or program
• Dinner, chores and unit time
• Bedtime

Weekends and public and school holidays

• Wake, shower, dress and clean room
• Breakfast, chores and unit activities
• Programs
• Lunch
• Programs
• Rest or free time
• Programs
• Dinner
• Bedtime

There are times during the day and night when your child will be locked in their room. This is called separation. When they're locked in — including overnight — staff check on them at least every 15 minutes.