Did you know that the Wacol Youth Remand Centre, a facility that aims to provide better shelter for the youth in detention and rehabilitation, will be completed by late 2024?
With the Queensland Police Service (QPS) spearheading the construction process that began in late 2023, the Wacol Youth Remand Centre is a few months away from being ready to house youth being held in watchhouses on remand.
Initially envisioned to have 50 beds, QPS has expanded the centre’s capacity to 76 beds to ensure that more young individuals will have access to the support and services they need while in custody at the Wacol Police Complex.
The centre’s strategic co-location with Brisbane and West Moreton youth detention facilities allows youth access to essential services including education, healthcare, counselling, and open-air exercise areas for recreational activities.
The Wacol Youth Remand Centre, operated by the Department of Youth Justice, will house youth in custody until new youth centres in Cairns and Woodford open.
The decision to fast-track construction and consolidate the project into a single stage is part of the State’s dedication to addressing youth crime and promoting community safety.
Rapid-build methodologies have driven progress, allowing the facility to take shape swiftly while maintaining high quality and safety standards.
In a statement to media, Premier Steven Miles said that the government will continue to invest in the prevention, intervention and detention programs that work.
“With more Police and targeted high visibility police operations taking place around the state, we are seeing an increase in arrests and offenders in custody,” he said.
“The Wacol Remand Facility will act as additional remand capacity while two new youth detention centres are built, to minimise the time young people are held in watchhouses on remand.”
“With its close proximity to the Wacol Police Complex, young people will have access to the education, health care and rehabilitation services needed to get back on the right path,” he added.
Published 8-April-2024