Transferring from youth detention to adult prison

Your child may be transferred to an adult prison if they become an adult while they are in detention.

Changes to the law about who is eligible to be transferred to an adult prison came into effect on 30 August 2024. This means a young person who was not eligible before may now be eligible to be transferred to adult prison.

Prison transfer notice

Our Youth Justice officers may give your child who is 18 a prison transfer notice. The notice will include information about the date they will be transferred.

They can only be transferred after they are 18 years and one month and cannot remain in detention after they are 18 years and six months.

We will give your child time to talk to a lawyer about the transfer.

If your child is under 18 years and six months

If your child is not happy about the transfer, they can ask Youth Justice to review the decision and be considered for a temporary delay of transfer.

If your child is still not happy after that review, they can apply to the Childrens Court. The court can review the decision again, and consider them for a temporary delay of transfer.

Temporary delay of transfer

A temporary delay of transfer means that your child may stay in the detention centre for longer, before transferring to adult prison.

If a temporary delay of transfer is approved, a new transfer date must be given.

Before the transfer happens

Our officers will help your child prepare for their transfer to an adult prison. We will give them information about what might be available for them in prison, including:

  • education
  • training
  • activities
  • programs
  • support.

More information

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