Detention centre rules
If your child is sentenced to a detention order, they will go to a youth detention centre. If your child is remanded in custody, they will also go to a youth detention centre.
In detention, your child is expected to:
- be respectful
- be safe
- be responsible
- be active.
This means they will:
- go to school
- take part in programs
- show respect to staff and other young people
- follow staff instructions
- do chores in their unit
- use good manners
- maintain good hygiene
- go to bed at bedtime.
They must not:
- refuse to go to school
- refuse to engage in programs
- do graffiti or damage property
- swear at or verbally abuse other people
- bully, be aggressive or harm other people
- stir other young people up to be aggressive, harm other people or damage property
- have inappropriate physical contact with other young people.
Behaviour support
Effective behaviour support in youth detention centres is critical to the safety and wellbeing of young people and staff.
Behaviour support establishes appropriate expectations. It provides privileges and incentives for positive behaviour, and ensures there are appropriate consequences for misbehaviour. It also gives young people the chance to take responsibility for their behaviour and learn about the impact of their actions on others.
Behaviour support in youth detention is built on trauma-informed practice principles and is tailored to each child’s individual needs. We consider their:
- personal circumstances
- age
- culture
- gender
- developmental level
- abilities/disabilities
- cognitive functioning.
Positive behaviour
Youth detention staff will help your child to be aware of their behaviour, and encourage them to make good decisions by promoting and reinforcing good behaviour.
We will always treat your child with respect and dignity. Your child will also be encouraged to treat others with respect and dignity.
When your child demonstrates positive behaviour, they can earn access to rewards and incentives like special activities.
Misbehaviour
Your child has rights, including human rights, while they are in detention. We will not take away your child’s basic rights and entitlements to punish them.
There will be consequences if your child misbehaves at the centre.
If your child breaks the rules or has bad behaviour in the detention centre, they will lose points and privileges. They may also have to do restorative activities, such as cleaning up graffiti they have done.
Your child’s consequences will not include:
- being deprived of sleep, food or visitors
- physical punishment
- shaming or bullying
- having mail kept from them
- losing access to a telephone or other communication
- being excluded from cultural, educational or vocational programs.
Youth detention staff may use reasonable force to protect your child, other people or property if your child is behaving in a way that could hurt someone.
Staff may also need to limit your child’s access to certain objects or areas of the centre to keep everyone safe if your child is behaving in a way that could hurt someone.
Offending
Your child may be charged with a criminal offence and have to go to court if they break the law while in detention, including if they:
- assault someone, including a staff member or another young person
- sexually harass someone, including a staff member or another young person
- discriminate against someone, including a staff member or another young person
- deliberately damage property, including breaking things or doing graffiti
- touch or damage fire alarms, sprinklers, cameras or security devices in the centre.
More information
- Find out more about daily life in detention.
- Read about programs and supports to help change your child's behaviour.