- Published:
- Thursday 3 November 2016
The Andrews Labor Government is cracking down on violent offenders in youth justice facilities through a new suite of measures – including 41 new staff positions to improve safety.
A comprehensive plan to address violent youths will see increased staffing and managerial supervision to manage the risks at Malmsbury Youth Justice centres and Parkville Youth Justice Precinct in Melbourne.
This increase is in addition to 60 new staff expected to commence work across youth justice by the end of the year.
Any assault on a staff member and any other serious incident will now be reported to the Youth Parole Board to determine eligibility for parole.
New legislation is also being considered to increase the consequences for assaulting youth justice custodial staff by making it an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Unlike the previous Liberal Government – who slashed 20 full time positions from the youth justice system – we have implemented rolling recruitment to ensure vacancies are filled as quickly as possible.
Now, we’re going above and beyond that in creating new positions.
Young people coming into the system display some extremely complex behaviours, which is why we’re bringing in experts in clinical psychology to address the causes of violent behaviour while in these facilities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“We’re sending a clear message to young people in custody that violence won’t be tolerated. Assaulting staff is unacceptable, and there will be serious consequences.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is giving those on the frontline the resources they need to deal with a small, but violent group of young people in our youth justice facilities.”
“Staff should feel safe when they go to work in our youth justice facilities. We’re fixing the mess left behind by the Liberals by giving staff what they need to prevent violence and respond to dangerous situations.”