The Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre, often referred to simply as the Charles Harris Diversionary Centre, serves as a dedicated sobering-up facility in Townsville, Queensland. Open 24 hours a day throughout the year, this centre provides a safe and controlled environment for individuals experiencing public intoxication. Instead of being transported to police custody, clients many of whom are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are taken to the Centre where they are offered care, rest, and basic support services. This approach reflects a broader shift toward compassionate, community-based alternatives for addressing alcohol-related harm.
Purpose and Mission
The primary goal of the Charles Harris Diversionary Centre is to reduce the number of intoxicated individuals being held in police watch houses by offering a health-oriented alternative. The Centre aims to:
- De-escalate public intoxication situations in a respectful and non-punitive way
- Provide immediate care and supervision for people at risk of harm
- Reduce pressure on law enforcement resources
- Create pathways to additional social, health, or housing support
This diversionary model aligns with recommendations from inquiries into Indigenous deaths in custody, and reflects principles of harm reduction and social justice.
Services Offered
Clients brought to the Centre receive a range of supportive services designed to meet their immediate needs while helping them regain stability:
- A clean and secure bed to sleep off intoxication safely
- Nutritious meals and access to hydration
- Basic personal hygiene facilities such as showers and laundry
- First aid when needed, and monitoring for health emergencies
- Transportation services via private shuttle from pick-up to reunification
Clients are cared for in a culturally sensitive environment and released once they are considered sober and safe to return to their community.
Target Population and Accessibility
The Centre primarily serves individuals who would otherwise be taken into police custody for public intoxication. Many clients are identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, reflecting both the disproportionate impact of alcohol on Indigenous communities and the Centre’s goal of providing culturally-informed care. Referral pathways include local police, ambulance services, or outreach teams, with transportation provided to and from the facility.
Benefits to the Community and Law Enforcement
The Charles Harris Diversionary Centre offers several important advantages compared to standard police custody:
- Reduces incarceration of non-criminal, intoxicated individuals
- Decreases load on police watch houses, allowing officers to focus on higher priority duties
- Offers holistic, non-punitive support rather than criminal processing
- Supports broader goals of harm reduction and public health intervention
The diversionary centre’s effectiveness has contributed to freeing up police resources and minimizing trauma for vulnerable individuals brought into contact with the justice system.
Historical Background and Funding
The Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre was established in the mid-1990s in Townsville. It was developed in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, and to offer alternatives to incarceration for intoxicated people. The Queensland Government has funded the Centre alongside other community initiatives such as the Townsville Cell Visitor Service and community patrols, with a combined budget of millions of dollars aimed at reducing homelessness, alcohol misuse, and contact with the criminal justice system.
Integrated Service Model
The Centre operates in coordination with local NGOs and government agencies to offer wraparound services. In addition to providing temporary safe accommodation, staff may refer clients to housing support, alcohol and drug counseling, health care, or legal assistance depending on their needs. This integrated model aligns with broader community-based diversion and rehabilitation strategies.
Impact and Evaluation
Various evaluations and public policy reviews have highlighted the positive outcomes of diversionary facilities like the Charles Harris Centre. Research shows that diverted individuals especially youth are less likely to reoffend compared to those processed through courts. Although specific data for Townsville may vary, broader Australian evidence supports reduced repeat incidents, improved community engagement, and better health outcomes when diversion is used.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite its benefits, the Centre faces ongoing challenges:
- Ensuring sustainable funding and support from government
- Maintaining culturally appropriate practices for Indigenous clients
- Providing post-release support to reduce return to public intoxication
- Monitoring and evaluation to continuously improve service delivery
Addressing these challenges requires commitment from policymakers, service providers, and community leaders to ensure diversionary care remains a viable alternative.
Complementary Programs and Expansion
The Charles Harris Diversionary Centre is one of several diversion programs operating across Queensland. Others include cell visitation services and community patrols, which transport intoxicated individuals to care facilities and help connect them with local services. Together, these services form a network that seeks to reduce alcohol-related harm, homelessness, and indigenous contact with the criminal justice system.
Why It Matters
By offering care instead of criminal processing, the Centre acknowledges the underlying issues linked to alcohol misuse. Rather than perpetuating cycles of incarceration, the program emphasizes health, safety, and dignity. It can reduce long-term negative outcomes for individuals while supporting broader community wellbeing.
The Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre in Townsville represents a progressive model of dealing with public intoxication by prioritizing health-based interventions over law enforcement. Operating continuously and grounded in harm reduction principles, the Centre offers a humane alternative for vulnerable individuals, many of whom are Indigenous, who otherwise might face criminal consequences. With ongoing policy support and effective partnerships, facilities like this contribute to reducing alcohol harm, supporting recovery, and offering clearer pathways toward stability and safety within the community.
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