Abstract
[Extract]
Police watch-house detainees have complex health needs that involve multiple agencies and require coordinated, interagency solutions
Police watch-houses (Queensland term) are buildings designed “for the temporary holding of prisoners before prisoners are released or transferred to a corrective services facility or detention centre”.1 They may also be used to hold people who are intoxicated, appear mentally ill, or are awaiting trial.2 Watch-houses are also referred to as police cells, station cells, lock-ups, holding cells, jails, and custody suites in other Australian jurisdictions and countries. “Temporary” means “overnight or for 24 hours or longer”,1 and can be as long as 4 weeks.2, 3 In Queensland, watch-houses are staffed primarily by police officers, in some cases assisted by civilian watch-house officers.
Police watch-house detainees have complex health needs that involve multiple agencies and require coordinated, interagency solutions
Police watch-houses (Queensland term) are buildings designed “for the temporary holding of prisoners before prisoners are released or transferred to a corrective services facility or detention centre”.1 They may also be used to hold people who are intoxicated, appear mentally ill, or are awaiting trial.2 Watch-houses are also referred to as police cells, station cells, lock-ups, holding cells, jails, and custody suites in other Australian jurisdictions and countries. “Temporary” means “overnight or for 24 hours or longer”,1 and can be as long as 4 weeks.2, 3 In Queensland, watch-houses are staffed primarily by police officers, in some cases assisted by civilian watch-house officers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 287-289 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Medical Journal of Australia |
| Volume | 217 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 28 Aug 2022 |
| DOIs |
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| Publication status | Published - 19 Sept 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |