Communique - IMAC meeting 21 October 2024

We welcomed Ms Amie Carrington as our new co-Chair. Ms Carrington is the Chief Executive Officer of the Domestic Violence Action Centre, providing specialist domestic, family and sexual violence services that create a meaningful impact to increase safety and healing for victim survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence.

We visited the West Moreton Youth Detention Centre at Wacol which provided an opportunity for the IMAC to observe Brisbane's newest facility for young people in detention.

Members reflected on the facility’s therapeutic approach, and the differences between the new centre and older facilities. Discussions covered the Centre's education program, which aims to improve engagement in education, literacy, and develop life skills to aid in community reintegration.

We also learned about the Centre’s recognition ceremonies, which celebrate the educational achievements of young people and involve their families and community.

Staff shared insights into current challenges, including managing a high remand population, staff shortages, and limited access to specialist support services.

We discussed the arrangements for our upcoming visit to Cherbourg from 17 to 19 November 2024.

The IMAC will meet with various stakeholders including the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, Elders, community leaders and various local organisations.

These engagements will focus on local efforts to address crime, particularly within the context of Cherbourg’s unique history and challenges.

We also talked about options for future visits to other regions across Queensland as we head into 2025.

The IMAC heard from Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) representatives, who presented on their role within the community, provided data trends, and a discussion on current challenges.

Discussions included the parole board’s decision-making process for managing order breaches, gender representation among individuals under community correction orders, and the ways in which QCS is supporting people, with a particular focus on First Nations peoples.