ISLAMABAD: In the latest youth justice case to raise human rights concerns in Queensland, a 13-year-old Indigenous Australian boy was held in solitary confinement for 45 days for minor offenses.
The boy, known as “Jack,” was released on probation last week after spending 60 days in custody at Townsville’s Cleveland Youth Detention Centre. He is believed to have been isolated for 22 days in a row. Queensland’s human rights commissioner said that the case may have violated state laws.
‘No serious criminal history
Jack was being held on remand at the detention center 1,300 kilometers north of Brisbane on charges related to a fight with another 13-year-old boy. In desperation, he flooded his cell with toilet water after being denied drinking water, according to his barrister Tim Grau.
Describing his detention as “extraordinary and cruel,” Grau said Jack had “no serious criminal history.”
He said that he was 13 and had previously appeared in court. So, even for this offense, he was never going to serve time in prison.
Grau said he didn’t know why Jack was isolated for such a long time, but he suspected it was due to prison staff shortages. Jack was held in adult prisons for six days during his detention. He was released with a verbal reprimand last week.
A separate recent case raised human rights concerns about Queensland’s youth justice system, which is being reformed.
Another case of solitary confinement
Another 13-year-old Queensland boy, with developmental disabilities, was confined to a cell for 20 hours per day for 78 days, it was revealed in February. Queensland is currently debating new laws that would criminalize minor bail violations, which experts warn will result in a dramatic increase in the youth prison population.
The recent cases, according to State Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall, may have violated Queensland’s Human Rights Act, which states that all prisoners must have access to fresh air and exercise for at least two hours per day.
He warned that changing the law would exacerbate the situation and that immediate action was required to prevent children from being placed in isolation.
He told the BBC that he does not believe these are isolated incidents.
