The Allan Labor Government is delivering another 45 new beds at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre to keep the community safe.
It follows last year's announcement of 30 beds - meaning 75 new beds are now being delivered at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct.
Youth remand is rising - up around 40 per cent since the Government's Bail reforms came into effect.
With Labor's Adult Time for Violent Crime coming into effect at the end of February - youth custody numbers will continue to rise.
This additional capacity ensures Victoria can continue to respond to serious youth offending and keep violent offenders off the streets.
Additional beds will give Youth Justice the flexibility needed to manage different cohorts and deliver new programs that meet the individual needs of young people.
Under recent changes to the Youth Justice Act, young people on remand can now access rehabilitation programs - not just those who are sentenced.
More than 100 new youth justice workers will be recruited to staff the expanded facility, supporting local jobs and building on strong workforce growth across the system.
Upgrades to infrastructure and security at Malmsbury are underway.
New beds will come online in stages this year.
The Government is investing a further $203 million over five years to back in our community safety reforms - including the additional 45 beds, more frontline youth justice staff and services, and court escorts.
This investment builds on the Victorian Budget 25/26 funding for 88 additional youth justice beds and nearly 1,000 extra beds in the adult prison system.
As stated by Minister for Corrections Enver Erdogan
"Our tough new bail laws are working - remand numbers are up. We're putting the infrastructure in place to keep the community safe."
"This investment ensures the Youth Justice system can keep the community safe today, while giving young people the support they need to build better futures."
