‘Illegal’ strip searches of children among claims made by Queensland watch-house whistleblower

Exclusive: Officer’s submission to state’s youth crime bill describes adult prisoners exposing themselves to children and imitating sex acts

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A Queensland watch-house whistleblower says he witnessed “illegal” strip searches of children, a girl placed in a cell with adult men, and staff wrapping towels around prisoners’ heads to avoid spit hood protocols, causing them to “feel waterboarded”.

In a damning submission to the state’s youth crime bill, watch-house officer Steven Marshall detailed what he described as “human rights breaches” that he witnessed at Brisbane Watch House during 2018 and 2019.

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