Queensland Government Spending on Youth Justice and Community Safety
The Queensland government is increasing spending on youth detention despite evidence that it is ineffective and expensive, while also investing in community safety and youth programs to address the root causes of youth crime.
Youth detention is costly and ineffective: Queensland spends over $207 million annually on youth detention, yet almost 69% of young people reoffend within 12 months of release .
Community-based alternatives show promise: Programs like Multisystemic Therapy (MST) and Functional Family Therapy (FFT) have been shown to be more effective and less expensive than youth detention .
Early intervention is key: Initiatives like the Pathways to Prevention project, which combines enriched preschool programs with family support, have demonstrated significant reductions in youth crime .
Youth community programs are vital: Investing in programs that support young people's wellbeing, education, and development helps to prevent crime and promote positive social outcomes .
Addressing root causes is crucial: Factors like poverty, family violence, and lack of access to education and employment contribute to youth crime and need to be addressed .
Collaboration is essential: A whole-of-government approach involving police, youth justice, community services, and community organiations is needed to effectively address youth crime .
Focus on rehabilitation: Shifting the focus from punishment to rehabilitation in youth detention centers is crucial to reducing recidivism and improving community safety .
Queensland Government Spending on Youth Justice and Community Safety
This report provides an in-depth examination of the Queensland state government's financial commitments to youth justice, community safety, youth crime prevention, and youth community programs. It delves into budget allocations, historical spending trends, program effectiveness, and alternative approaches to identify areas of concern and potential improvement. The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the government's strategy in these areas and offer recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of its spending.
Budget Allocations
The Queensland government has made significant financial commitments to youth justice and community safety in recent budgets. This section provides a detailed breakdown of these allocations across various programs and initiatives.
Youth Detention
The Queensland government has prioritized youth detention in its budget allocations, with a focus on increasing capacity and enhancing services.
In the 2023-24 budget, a record $396.5 million was allocated for youth justice services1. This includes funding for the construction of a new youth detention center at the Woodford Correctional Precinct and securing a site for a new youth detention center near Cairns1.
The 2024-25 budget allocates $221.1 million for capital works for the Department of Youth Justice, with $185.1 million dedicated to the continued construction of the Woodford Youth Detention Centre2.
The government also allocated $365.1 million over four years for youth justice initiatives under the Community Safety Plan2. This includes:
$224.2 million for the establishment and operation of the Woodford Youth Detention Centre.
$17.7 million to continue supporting young people in watch houses and support the construction of the Woodford and Cairns youth detention centers.
$94 million to operate the Wacol Youth Remand Centre.
In addition to these major investments, the budget includes funding for various programs and initiatives aimed at improving youth detention services:
Community Safety
The Queensland government has demonstrated a strong commitment to community safety through significant budget allocations for the Police and Community Safety portfolio.
The 2024-25 budget for the Police and Community Safety portfolio is $4.368 billion3. This includes $3.7 billion for operating expenses and $663 million for capital expenses3.
The budget includes an additional $600 million and $185 million ongoing for the Queensland Police Service (QPS) as part of the Community Safety Plan3.
Key investments in community safety include:
The government is also investing in new equipment and resources for the QPS, including:
Furthermore, the budget provides $60 million for the State Emergency Service (SES), including more support grants and $3.8 million for new equipment and flood boats3. Increased funding for disability advocacy is also included in the budget4.
Youth Crime Prevention
The Queensland government has allocated substantial funding to address youth crime, focusing on prevention and early intervention programs.
The government has allocated $446.4 million over five years to support community safety, tackle the complex causes of youth crime, and boost police resources1. This includes an extra $189.5 million over five years to the Department of Youth Justice1.
Specific allocations for youth crime prevention include:
Youth Community Programs
The Queensland government has invested in a wide range of youth community programs aimed at supporting young people's wellbeing, education, and development.
$196.8 million over four years is allocated as part of the $502 million "Putting Queensland Kids First" initiative, which supports families experiencing vulnerability to access early childhood programs, education, health, and other support services5. This initiative aims to provide a holistic approach to supporting vulnerable families and ensuring that children have the opportunity to thrive.
$500 million over four years is allocated to prioritize the delivery and planning of high-quality learning environments5. This includes building new schools, upgrading existing facilities, and ensuring that schools are safe and accessible for all students and teachers.
$45.1 million over three years is allocated to meet increased demand and costs for teacher accommodation5. This investment recognizes the importance of attracting and retaining quality teachers, particularly in regional and remote areas.
$21 million over four years is allocated to continue supporting 50 Queensland state schools with secondary-aged students with access to a General Practitioner or alternative primary healthcare provider5. This initiative aims to improve access to healthcare for young people and promote their overall wellbeing.
$10.7 million is allocated for food programs in Queensland state schools5. This funding helps to ensure that students have access to nutritious meals and can focus on their learning.
$9.5 million is allocated for the Minor Infrastructure Program, which helps sporting clubs and active recreation organisations deliver infrastructure for their communities6. This investment supports community-based organisations and promotes participation in sports and recreation.
$3 million is allocated for the Youth Development Partnership Fund, aimed at improving youth crime prevention through community sport initiatives7. This fund supports partnerships between community organisations and the Queensland Police Service to engage young people in positive activities.
$1.9 million is allocated for the Active Clubs program, which expands the program to $4.4 million for 2024-256. This program encourages greater participation in sports and recreation, contributing to a more active and healthier Queensland.
$1.3 million is allocated to the ActiveKIT program6. This program provides resources and support for active recreation, promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
$2.3 million is allocated for the Emerging Athletes Pathways Program6. This program supports eligible young athletes, coaches, and officials by providing financial assistance to help alleviate the costs associated with attending state, national, and international events.
$33.5 million is allocated to expand the FairPlay program, which provides vouchers to help families with the cost of sports memberships and participation fees7. This program aims to reduce the financial barriers to participation in organized sport and recreation activities.
$383 million is allocated for the "Safer Children, Safer Communities" plan, which aims to improve the lives of children in care8. This plan includes developing a new 24-hour dual care supervision model, delivering a 20% boost to the number of child safety officers, and better support for children in care.
$1.5 million is allocated over three years for the Mossman Region Transition Program, which supports mill workers in transitioning to new jobs, accessing training and upskilling, and gaining counseling support9.
$6 million is allocated over five years for the Queensland Quantum Academy, which aims to introduce quantum materials and learning opportunities into schools and TAFEs9.
$7.5 million is allocated in 2024-25 to continue support for the Transition 2 Success program9.
$22.6 million is allocated over four years for the 'Backing Bush Communities Fund - Invasive Species Management' and $10 million over two years for the 'Backing Bush Communities - Building Bush Tourism Fund'9.
$438.3 million is allocated over four years for the Workforce Attraction Incentive Scheme, school-based traineeship programs, and the fee-free Diploma of Nursing TAFE course9.
$162.6 million is allocated over three years for the Free TAFE initiative for the Diploma of Nursing9.
Funding is provided for the Queensland Early Childhood Workforce Strategy and Action Plan 2023–2027, a four-year strategy to deliver a sustainable, qualified early childhood workforce5.
$1.181 billion is allocated over four years to provide critical educational infrastructure to accommodate enrolment growth in targeted areas across the state5.
$288.2 million is allocated over five years for the Youth Engagement Reform Package to support students who need additional help5.
$1.274 billion is allocated for capital purchases for school educational facilities and early childhood education and care services5.
The government also provides concessions estimates related to skills and training funded programs, including:
Historical Spending Data
This section examines historical spending data for youth detention, community safety, youth crime prevention, and youth community programs to identify trends and patterns.
Youth Detention
As shown in the table above, spending on youth detention in Queensland has almost doubled in the last eight years10. This trend indicates a growing reliance on youth detention as a response to youth crime. In 2023, the average daily cost of detaining a young offender in Queensland was over $1,834, or $669,308 per year10. This is significantly higher than the national average of $3,320 per day in 2023-2411.
Community Safety
While detailed historical data on community safety spending is limited, the available information suggests a trend of increasing investment in this area.
The 2024-25 budget allocates a record $4.379 billion for Police and Community Safety, representing an increase of almost $700 million, or 15 percent, over the last financial year12.
This significant increase reflects the government's commitment to enhancing community safety through increased police presence, improved resources, and support for community-based initiatives.
Youth Crime Prevention
Historical data reveals a substantial investment in youth crime prevention initiatives over the years.
From 2015 to 2023-24, the government invested $1.4 billion in whole-of-government funding for youth justice initiatives, including various intervention and diversionary programs1.
This sustained investment highlights the government's ongoing efforts to address youth crime through a multi-faceted approach that includes prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation.
Residential Care
Historical spending data for residential care reveals a concerning trend of increasing costs and a growing number of children in care.
In the 2023-24 financial year, there was a predicted half a billion dollar budget blowout in residential care for vulnerable children13.
The cost of residential care has been steadily increasing, with the government spending just shy of a billion dollars last financial year13.
There has been a decade-long increase in the number of children under 12 living in residential care across Queensland13.
This trend raises concerns about the financial sustainability of the residential care system and the need for more effective prevention and early intervention programs to reduce the number of children entering care.
Youth Community Programs
While historical data on youth community program spending is limited, the government has consistently invested in programs that support young people's wellbeing, education, and participation in the community. These programs play a crucial role in providing young people with opportunities for personal development, social inclusion, and positive engagement.
Program Effectiveness
This section evaluates the effectiveness of various government programs and initiatives in the areas of youth detention, youth crime prevention, and youth community programs.
Youth Detention
Despite the significant investment in youth detention, reoffending rates remain high, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the current detention model.
Almost 69 percent of youths released from detention reoffend and return to supervision within 12 months10.
A report by the Queensland Family and Child Commission found that Queensland's youth detention system is "largely ineffective" and has one of Australia's biggest reoffending rates14.
The report described the current detention model as "the most expensive and least effective solution to youth crime that we have designed." 14
These findings suggest that the current detention model is not effectively rehabilitating young offenders and may be contributing to a cycle of reoffending. Factors contributing to these high recidivism rates include:
Lack of focus on rehabilitation: The current detention model prioritizes punishment and containment over rehabilitation14.
Inadequate support for reintegration: Young people leaving detention often lack the support and resources they need to successfully reintegrate into the community15.
Underlying social and economic factors: Many young people in detention have experienced trauma, poverty, family violence, and other challenges that contribute to their offending behavior16.
Youth Crime Prevention
The effectiveness of youth crime prevention programs varies, and there is a need for more rigorous evaluation to determine which programs are most successful.
An independent review of the JT Academy's "You Got This" program found significant reductions in criminal offending by at-risk teenagers participating in the program in Cairns17. This program provides practical advice on leadership, resume writing, interview skills, and career coaching, helping young people to develop positive life skills and avoid criminal behavior.
The Pathways to Prevention project demonstrated the long-term success of early prevention initiatives and community support for young children and families in reducing rates of involvement in serious youth crime18. This project involved an enriched preschool program combined with family support, which led to a more than 50 percent reduction in youth offending18.
These examples highlight the potential of well-designed and targeted programs to prevent youth crime and support young people in making positive choices.
Youth Community Programs
Several reports highlight the positive impact of youth community programs on young people's wellbeing and development.
The Pathways to Prevention project found that an enriched preschool program combined with family support reduced the number of court-adjudicated youth offenders by more than 50 percent18.
The Growing Up in Queensland report, published by the Queensland Family and Child Commission, provides a comprehensive overview of child, family, and community wellbeing across the state19. This report highlights the positive impact of various community programs and initiatives on young people's lives.
These findings demonstrate the importance of investing in youth community programs that provide young people with opportunities for personal development, social inclusion, and positive engagement.
Alternative Approaches in Other Jurisdictions
Examining alternative approaches to youth detention and youth crime prevention being used in other jurisdictions can provide valuable insights for Queensland.
The National Institute of Justice, in collaboration with Harvard Kennedy School's Program in Criminal Justice Policy and Management, has released "The Future of Youth Justice: A Community-Based Alternative to the Youth Prison Model"20. This report advocates for replacing the current youth prison model with a continuum of community-based programs and smaller, homelike facilities that prioritize age-appropriate rehabilitation20.
The report highlights the "4Rs" approach: reduce, reform, replace, and reinvest20. This approach involves:
Reduce: Reducing the number of young people in detention.
Reform: Reforming youth prisons to make them more humane and rehabilitative.
Replace: Replacing large youth prisons with smaller, community-based facilities.
Reinvest: Reinvesting resources in community-based programs that prevent youth crime and support young people's reintegration.
Several states in the US, including Virginia, Texas, California, Ohio, and Missouri, have successfully implemented the "4Rs" approach, demonstrating that community-based alternatives can reduce recidivism, control costs, and promote public safety20.
Analysis and Recommendations
This section provides an analysis of the Queensland government's spending on youth justice and community safety, followed by recommendations for improvement.
Youth Detention
Analysis:
The analysis of Queensland's youth detention spending reveals several areas of concern:
High cost and low effectiveness: Despite the high cost of youth detention, reoffending rates remain high, indicating that the current model is not effectively rehabilitating young offenders.
Overcrowding: Queensland's youth detention centers are operating at near capacity, leading to increased use of police watch houses to detain young people16. This raises concerns about the safety and wellbeing of young people in watch houses, which are not designed for long-term detention.
Lack of focus on rehabilitation: The current detention model prioritizes punishment and containment over rehabilitation, which may be contributing to high recidivism rates.
Recommendations:
Invest in alternative approaches to detention: The government should prioritize funding for community-based alternatives to detention, such as multisystemic therapy (MST), functional family therapy (FFT), and specialized foster care. These approaches have been shown to be effective in reducing recidivism and promoting young people's reintegration into the community.
Increase focus on rehabilitation: Youth detention centers should prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration by providing education, vocational training, and therapeutic services. This will help young people to develop the skills and support they need to make positive choices and avoid reoffending.
Reduce overcrowding: The government should address overcrowding in youth detention centers by increasing capacity and investing in diversion programs. This will ensure that young people are detained in appropriate facilities and have access to the services they need.
Improve conditions in watch houses: The government should ensure that watch houses are safe and appropriate for detaining young people, with access to education, recreation, and support services. This will help to mitigate the negative impacts of detention and protect young people's wellbeing.
Community Safety
Analysis:
The analysis of community safety spending suggests that the government is committed to increasing resources for policing and emergency services. However, there is a need for more investment in community-based crime prevention programs that address the root causes of crime.
Recommendations:
Invest in community-based crime prevention: The government should increase funding for programs that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, family violence, and substance abuse. These programs can help to prevent crime before it occurs and support individuals and families in need.
Support community-led initiatives: The government should empower communities to develop local solutions to crime by providing funding and support for community-based organisations. This will ensure that crime prevention strategies are tailored to the specific needs of each community.
Promote collaboration: The government should encourage collaboration between police, youth justice, and community services to address crime holistically. This will ensure that young people and families receive the support they need from a range of services.
Youth Crime Prevention
Analysis:
The analysis of youth crime prevention spending indicates a need for a more strategic and evidence-based approach. While the government has invested in various programs, there is a need for more rigorous evaluation to determine which programs are most effective and ensure that funding is directed towards those that work.
Recommendations:
Prioritize early intervention: The government should prioritize funding for early intervention and prevention programs that target at-risk young people and their families. These programs can help to address the underlying factors that contribute to youth crime and support young people in making positive choices.
Evaluate program effectiveness: The government should conduct rigorous evaluations of youth crime prevention programs to determine their effectiveness and ensure that funding is directed towards programs that work. This will help to maximize the impact of government spending and ensure that resources are used efficiently.
Address the root causes of crime: The government should invest in programs that address the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to youth crime. This includes addressing poverty, inequality, family violence, and lack of access to education and employment opportunities.
Youth Community Programs
Analysis:
The analysis of youth community programs suggests that the government is investing in programs that support young people's wellbeing, education, and participation in the community. However, there is a need for continued investment and evaluation to ensure that these programs are effective and accessible to all young people.
Recommendations:
Increase funding for youth community programs: The government should continue to invest in programs that provide young people with opportunities for education, recreation, and personal development. These programs play a crucial role in supporting young people's wellbeing and helping them to reach their full potential.
Support youth-led initiatives: The government should empower young people to participate in the design and delivery of youth community programs. This will ensure that programs are relevant and responsive to the needs of young people.
Promote access and equity: The government should ensure that all young people have access to quality community programs, regardless of their background or location. This includes addressing barriers to participation and ensuring that programs are culturally appropriate and inclusive.
Case Studies
This section provides real-life examples to illustrate the issues discussed in this report.
Youth Detention: A 14-year-old boy, "Ricky," spent a week in solitary confinement at the Cleveland Youth Detention Center due to staff shortages21. He describes the experience as "messing with your head" and expresses frustration at the lack of support and rehabilitation programs21. This case highlights the concerns about the overuse of solitary confinement in youth detention and the need for increased staffing and resources to provide young people with meaningful activities and support.
Community Safety: A family in Townsville experienced a home invasion where young people stole both of their cars22. The family expresses anxiety and frustration at the brazenness of the crime and the lack of consequences for the offenders22. This case highlights the impact of youth crime on community safety and the need for effective crime prevention strategies.
Youth Community Programs: The Pathways to Prevention project in Brisbane demonstrated the positive impact of early intervention and community support18. By providing an enriched preschool program and family support, the project reduced the number of court-adjudicated youth offenders by more than 50 percent18. This case study highlights the potential of community-based programs to prevent youth crime and support young people's development.
Conclusion
The Queensland government has made significant financial commitments to youth justice and community safety. However, the analysis presented in this report reveals several challenges, including the high cost and low effectiveness of youth detention, the need for more investment in community-based crime prevention, and the importance of evaluating program effectiveness.
To address these challenges, the government should prioritize:
Investing in alternative approaches to youth detention that focus on rehabilitation and reintegration.
Increasing the focus on rehabilitation in youth detention centers and improving conditions in watch houses.
Addressing overcrowding in youth detention centers by increasing capacity and investing in diversion programs.
Investing in community-based crime prevention programs that address the root causes of crime.
Supporting community-led initiatives and promoting collaboration between police, youth justice, and community services.
Prioritizing early intervention and prevention programs for at-risk young people and their families.
Evaluating the effectiveness of youth crime prevention programs to ensure that funding is directed towards programs that work.
Increasing funding for youth community programs that support young people's wellbeing, education, and participation in the community.
Empowering young people to participate in the design and delivery of youth community programs.
Promoting access and equity to ensure that all young people have access to quality community programs.
By implementing these recommendations, the Queensland government can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its spending in these areas, create a safer and more supportive environment for all young Queenslanders, and build a more just and equitable society.
Reflections on creating culturally-led pathways for young people to connect with identity and purpose while navigating contemporary challenges in Central Australia.
Government investment in youth crime prevention is a welcome and timely step. To truly transform young lives and enhance community safety, however, programs must meet a gold standard of design and delivery. This position paper outlines a vision for gold-standard youth crime prevention and practical guidance on designing “kickstarter” initiatives that change life trajectories for at-risk youth.
Last week, I stood at the entrance of what scholars believe could have been the inspiration for Plato's famous allegory—a cave nestled in the ancient hills outside Athens. As sunlight filtered through craggy stone, casting dancing patterns at my feet, I felt the weight of 2,400 years of human wisdom pressing upon me.
.avif)
.jpg)
.png){kind=logo}
