Queensland Govt releases ‘damning’ police watchhouse review

A damning review into the conditions and practices of Queensland’s police watchhouses has been released by the State Government today.

The Government claims the review exposes 10 years of “Labor failure” that left frontline officers working in unsafe, unfit and under-resourced facilities. 

Initiated in August 2024 by the Queensland Police Commissioner, the Watchhouse Review was sparked by years of ignored coronial findings and mounting pressure from frontline police, said Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Dan Purdie (pictured).

“Police were left to manage broken-down facilities, mould-infested cells, and technology failures, all while juggling court transports, hospital guard duties and managing at-risk detainees without adequate support,” Mr Purdie said. 

“The findings of the Review highlight Labor’s answer to overcrowded jails were to use police watchhouses instead of prisons.  

“The Crisafulli Government is backing frontline police – who deserve better – with the resources they need and putting dignity, safety and common sense back into the system. 

“I want to thank the hard-working staff working in watchhouses for the work they do, day in day out, under difficult and challenging circumstances.” 

Key findings of the review include:  

• In 2024 alone, more than 37,000 police shifts (nearly 300,000 hours) were diverted from frontline duties to transports and hospital guards;
• Nearly 25% of prisoners were held beyond the intended 72-hour limit, including children, leading to increased risk of self-harm;
• It also identified critical infrastructure failures, including broken CCTV, unfit holding cells, and inconsistent training and maintenance across facilities, with off-duty police often being called upon to clean cells;
• Much of the review identified issues related to watchhouses becoming, over time, “long-term prisons under the former Labor Government”.   

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Cameron Harsley said the organisation was committed to genuine reform and transformational change across watchhouse operations.  

“The Review provides a clear and necessary roadmap to address longstanding issues and deliver meaningful improvements, focused on People, Processes and Places,” Deputy Commissioner Harsley said. 

“We recognise the need to reset, correct and strengthen our systems. 

“Importantly, these challenges extend beyond the QPS; a whole-of-government response is critical to deliver the risk-based, modern custody management framework Queensland needs.  

“We’re committed to leading this work in partnership with the Crisafulli Government to ensure lasting, system-wide change,” he said.

The Government says it has already acted to begin restoring safety and standards for police in Queensland’s watchhouses, with key reforms including:  

• More than $16 million already invested for remediation works to fast-track safety, privacy and infrastructure upgrades;
• A whole-of-government transport model to return police to frontline duties;
• Centralised contracts for cleaning, training and maintenance to deliver consistency and accountability;
• Capital works planning to modernise outdated facilities;
• Mandating training and improved recruitment to strengthen the custodial workforce.