QLD govt promises prison changes for 17yos

Queensland's Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has promised changes to remove 17-year-olds from adult prisons will be implemented in this term of government.

Queensland's Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has promised the Labor party's policy to remove 17-year-olds from adult jails will be addressed during this term of government.

The cabinet will be presented with advice on how to move the teenagers from adult detention centres as soon as Monday, Ms Trad told reporters on Saturday.

"We know that this is an election commitment," she said.

"Clearly seeing young people in detention and being restrained is disturbing, it's absolutely disturbing," she said following footage that emerged of a 17-year-old indigenous detainee being put in a spit mask at a Brisbane correctional centre.

The footage, from February 2013 and published by The Courier-Mail, has again raised questions about Queensland's practice of putting 17-year-olds in adult jails.

After the Northern Territory's juvenile detention scandal, Queensland's attorney-general said spit hoods were not used in the state's juvenile detention centres, but in this case the teen was being held at an adult facility.

Ms Trad also rejected the opposition's comments the government was divided.

"I can guarantee 100 per cent there will be no spill in the Labor party room," she said.

The comments follow accusations by shadow treasurer Scott Emerson the government was "deeply divided over key policies," including changes to the state's youth detention system.

He said there were reports the government would move young offenders before any review or consultation had taken place.

"The issues in our youth detention centres are incredibly complex and deserve careful consideration and consultation," he said in a statement on Saturday.

"We support an independent and thorough review."


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Source: AAP



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