Routine in detention

Young people are busy most of the day in the detention centre. They follow a routine that includes going to school at the centre, as well as taking part in programs and activities.

The detention centre supplies the young person with clothes, shoes and everything else they need. When they arrive at the centre, we take all their personal belongings and store them until they are released (except for dangerous items).

The young person is allowed to keep family photographs in their room. Family members and friends can also send some to them.

Sleeping

The centre has several accommodation units. Each has:

a kitchen
a lounge and dining room
a quiet area
an outdoor area
multiple young people's bedrooms.

Each young person's room has a bed, toilet, shower, desk and shelf. We supply sheets, blankets, a pillow and toiletries.

Each young person is safe in their secure room. There are times during the day and night when they will be locked in their room. When a young person is locked in their room (including overnight), we check on them every 15 minutes.

Food

In detention, a young person gets breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as morning and afternoon tea each day.

Dieticians review menus with a focus on the needs of young people to make sure they offer appropriate nutrition and variety.

Kitchen staff at the detention centre cook most of the meals on site. Kitchen staff can cater for health, cultural or religious dietary needs. A young person should tell staff about these when they enter the centre.

School

Each young person attends school at the detention centre from Monday to Friday during school terms.

The school can also offer vocational courses through TAFE.

Other programs and activities

On weekends and outside of school hours, the youth detention centre holds other programs and activities, such as art, music, Indigenous dance and sport.

During NAIDOC Week, the centre celebrates the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.