Purpose: While research often elaborates on outcomes of youth remand more broadly, the specific impact that remand has on indigenous young people can be overlooked, particularly in Australia. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach: This paper analyses interview data gathered from eight individual service providers from six community youth organisations in a city in Queensland, Australia.

Findings: Participants reported the specific effects of remand for indigenous young people and their families, noting especially the negative impact on the young people’s emotional, social and psychological development.

Originality/value: Results strongly suggest there is a blurring of the welfare and justice systems inherent within remand processes with indigenous young people, with remand employed so frequently that it has itself become a form of social support.