An independent review of Queensland's youth detention centres has been ordered by State Attorney-General and Justice Minister Yvette D'Ath.

Key points: Inquiry a response to alleged mistreatment in Townsville youth detention centre

Inquiry a response to alleged mistreatment in Townsville youth detention centre Attorney-General said images revealed by ABC were "confronting"

Attorney-General said images revealed by ABC were "confronting" Two people will be appointed to conduct review

She said the move was in response to serious allegations levelled against Queensland youth detention centre staff by former detainees and former employees.

"Since the revelations about youth detention policies in the Northern Territory last month, the Queensland Government has sought to address as openly and transparently as possible, issues raised publicly about Queensland's own youth detention facilities," she said.

"Last night, however, very serious allegations were levelled against the staff of youth detentions centres by former detainees and former employees."

It comes after the ABC revealed images of alleged mistreatment of young people inside Townsville's Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

The revelation prompted National Children's Commissioner Megan Mitchell to call on the Queensland Government to conduct an immediate inquiry into the oversight of youth detention.

Ms D'Ath said the review would focus on the practices, operation and oversight of facilities for juvenile inmates, and report back to her by November.

"Without the express consent of individuals involved, including any former employees whose employment was terminated, I am unable to address in any meaningful way the substance of these allegations," she said.

"An independent review is the appropriate mechanism to address all allegations that have been made and any additional allegations that may come forward.

"As I have said repeatedly, if any other person is aware of any other allegations relating to Queensland youth detention centres, they should make a complaint to one of the agencies that has oversight of Queensland's youth justice system now, so that they can also be examined as part of this review."

Inspectorate reports reveal further alleged mistreatment

The ABC can also reveal several other instances of alleged mistreatment in Brisbane and Townsville, outlined in Queensland Inspectorate reports dating back to 2010.

The internal government documents question if staff have used excessive force on youth and broken the law.

In one case, a report said eight Aboriginal children were locked in solitary confinement in the Cleveland centre for up to 22 hours a day, for 10 days straight in 2012.

A caseworker at the time noted: "It is in my opinion that we are very close to committing institutionalised emotional harm."

The inspectorate agreed, finding multiple "potential breaches of legislation and policy".

The inspectorate was also critical that some children were forced to partially strip, squat and cough as part of personal searches, and raised concerns about male staff in Brisbane allegedly using CCTV to watch female inmates while they were showering.

I have confidence in our youth justice system: A-G

Ms D'Ath said while the images contained in the ABC reports were "confronting", she did not believe there were systemic problems in the state's youth detention centres.

"I have confidence in our system and our youth justice system," she said.

"I need to make sure that the community has confidence in our system, and the best way to do that is to have an independent review, where we can have people go in and look at these allegations."

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said two people would undertake the Government's review. ( AAP: Glenn Hunt )

Ms D'Ath said there were a range of systems and measures in place to protect inmates, including quarterly inspections by the department's internal investigators, access to community visitors, and an anonymous "complaints box" in detention centres.

"That doesn't mean we won't have individual incidents. But what is important and what the people of Queensland expect from us, is where an employee uses force inappropriately or unauthorised force or excessive force, that it is reported, that it is investigated, and that action is taken, and that's what the department has been doing."

Ms Mitchell said the incidents highlighted by the ABC appeared to violate children's rights.

"I understand there were two internal reports about these incidents, and we're really unclear about what response was made to those reports and whether the matter was raised with the relevant minister, and if not, why not?"

But Ms D'Ath said the Government had provided Ms Mitchell with a comprehensive report on the oversight of its facilities in June, but had not received any correspondence detailing concerns.

She said she was looking to appoint two people — a man and a woman — to undertake the Government's review of youth detention centres.

"I am looking for people who have detailed knowledge in the youth justice system, cultural awareness around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and also legal experience," she said.