Queensland boy, 13, spends at least 45 days in solitary confinement despite not being sentenced to detention

A 13-year-old First Nations boy remanded for minor criminal offences was kept in total solitary confinement in a Queensland youth detention centre for at least 45 days, Guardian Australia has learned.

It is understood the boy also claimed that on one occasion he was denied drinking water at the Cleveland youth detention centre (CYDT) in Townsville, after he became distressed during a prolonged period in isolation and flooded the cell.

From 1 February, he spent 22 days straight entirely in solitary confinement. During almost two months in detention, the boy was allowed to leave his cell on five days.

In the case of the 13-year-old boy, he was initially arrested in October 2022 in relation to a fight with another boy.

In January 2023, the boy was arrested for further offences, including property offences and attempted unauthorised use of a motor vehicle.

But despite not ultimately receiving a custodial sentence, the boy spent a total of 60 days imprisoned on remand, including six days in adult watch houses at Cairns and Mareeba, and 54 days at Cleveland.

During an initial 14-day period at Cleveland, from 27 October to 10 November, the boy was confined entirely to his cell.

From 30 January to 6 March, the boy was imprisoned at Cleveland and only allowed out of his cell on five days. He was in solitary confinement in his cell from 1 February to 23 February.

Information about his imprisonment at the detention centre does not include details about his final four days, from 7 to 10 March.