A recent inspection report by Queensland Ombudsman Anthony Reilly has brought renewed scrutiny to the Wacol youth remand centre. The report details significant concerns regarding the facility's environment, noting that the lack of privacy and space has led to distress among detainees. According to the findings, some young people have engaged in self-harm as a method to secure a transfer to other facilities.

Despite these findings, the Ombudsman has not recommended the closure of the Wacol centre. This decision comes as the state government, led by Premier David Crisafulli, implements stricter bail laws. Critics and observers have expressed concern that these legislative changes could exacerbate existing capacity issues, potentially leading to a new crisis where youth are held in police watch houses rather than appropriate detention centers. The report emphasizes that the current infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle the demands placed upon it, particularly as the state navigates the intersection of new legal mandates and the need for humane treatment of incarcerated youth.