The Victorian Government has today gazetted the Grevillea Unit at Barwon Prison as a youth justice facility and remand centre.
The orders were made by the Governor in Council and mean that the facility can operate as a youth justice facility and remand centre.
The issues raised by the courts have been addressed in this gazettal.
Barwon Prison's Grevillea Unit is safe, secure and is functioning appropriately as a youth justice and remand centre.
The Government has always said that offenders were sent to the Grevillea Unit because the damage caused by the riot made parts of the Parkville facility unfit for purpose. As a result, it is in the best interests of the offenders to be placed in this safe and secure facility.
Significant work has gone into establishing a suite of services for young people at the Grevillea Unit, including education and health services, as well as a separate visitors centre.
The Government will continue to act to ensure the safety of staff, the offenders and the community.
That’s why we are undertaking urgent repairs and fortification works at the Parkville facility around the clock.
Our hard working staff deserve to feel safe when they go to work in our youth justice facilities and we will do what’s needed to ensure that happens.
Reviewed 19 August 2020