Contacting a youth in detention

Part of the Youth detention topic

Understand how to contact a youth in a youth detention centre in Queensland.

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In short

You can send mail to your child when they are in a youth detention centre.

If you want a phone or video call with your child while they are in detention, they must call you.

Sending letters

You can send as many letters to your child as you like. Staff at the centre check all letters before they are given to youth. Staff also check any letters your child sends you.

Staff won’t check letters to or from your child’s lawyer.

Brisbane Youth Detention Centre
PO Box 450
Archerfield BC Qld 4108

Cleveland Youth Detention Centre
27-79 Old Common Road
Belgian Gardens Qld 4810

Wacol Youth Remand Centre
PO Box 45
Archerfield BC Qld 4108

West Moreton Youth Detention Centre
PO Box 451
Archerfield BC Qld 4108

Phone and video calls

Your child’s caseworker will decide who is allowed to be on their call list. Everyone who is on the call list must agree to be on it. If you agree, your approval will apply to their current stay in detention and any future stays.

You can speak to your child on the phone while they’re in detention. They must call you. You won’t be able to call them unless it’s an emergency.

If you live a distance away from the youth detention centre, you can ask staff if you can have a video call with your child.

If you have to tell your child something that may upset them, let the staff know so they can support your child.

In a youth detention centre, your child is allowed 120 minutes of call time each week to talk to their family and friends. They can talk for up to 10 minutes at a time.

If your child is at Wacol Youth Remand Centre, they will be allowed 30 minutes of call time each week. They can talk for up to 5 minutes at a time.

Your child can also speak to their lawyer or caseworker, or the community visitor. These calls have no time limit and don’t count towards their allowed call time.

Privacy information

We will keep a record of:

  • your name
  • your phone number
  • the date and time of your call with the youth
  • how long the call goes for.

This is in line with the Youth Justice Act 1992.

We will manage your personal information in line with the:

  • Youth Justice Act 1992
  • Information Privacy Act 2009.
Last updated:
4 August 2026