More than 550 issues raised on behalf of children in police lockups this year, Queensland public guardian says

Exclusive: Influx of reports comes amid concerns about welfare of young people detained in overcrowded adult watch houses

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The Queensland public guardian says its community visitors have reported more than 550 issues on behalf of children detained in police watch houses since the start of this year, amid ongoing concerns about the welfare of young people in overcrowded and “unsuitable” lockups.

First-hand reports from watch houses, revealed by Guardian Australia in January and February, detail how the system is struggling to cope with an influx of children, the result of the state government’s “tough on crime” justice policies.

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