- Crisafulli Government is delivering two new Staying on Track youth offender rehabilitation programs in the Darling Downs and South West Queensland to restore safety where you live.
- The 12-month post-detention rehabilitation program is a new initiative aimed at driving down youth reoffending.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering intensive rehabilitation to make Queensland safer.
The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer with two new post-detention rehabilitation programs for youth offenders in Toowoomba and across South West Queensland.
It is one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering for the region, with Staying on Track offering up to 12 months of rehabilitation for youths exiting detention, including at least six months' intensive support to reintegrate them into the community and prevent them falling back into a cycle of crime.
Anglicare Southern Queensland and OzChild were selected to deliver the new program for South West Queensland, following an extensive tender process.
Youth offenders will be partnered with a mentor and receive tailored, high-intensity support to transition back into the community and reduce the risk of reoffending.
These programs use a network of mentors, family support, and community engagement to help youth strengthen life skills, build positive relationships, and reduce reoffending, laying the foundation for long term change.
The former Labor Government's weak laws, fewer police, and failure to invest in rehabilitation programs created a Youth Crime Crisis, with 94% of youth offenders leaving detention reoffending within a year.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start to restore safety where you live with stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation.
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said the Crisafulli Government was delivering the fresh start Queenslanders voted for, exactly as promised.
"While we are delivering consequences for action under Adult Crime, Adult Time, we are also investing in effective rehabilitation programs to help break the cycle of crime and make Queensland safer," Minister Gerber said.
"Our new Staying on Track program will provide intensive, tailored support to help youth offenders re-enter education, find employment, and build positive connections in their communities.
"If we have fewer youth offenders, we will have fewer victims of crime and a safer Queensland."
Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts said the Staying on Track program would help restore safety across the region.
"The former Labor Government failed to invest in effective early intervention and rehabilitation, which created a youth crime crisis," Mr Watts said.
Member for Southern Downs James Lister said youth crime rehabilitation programs were vital to breaking the cycle of crime.
"Effective rehabilitation programs help break the cycle of crime and Staying on Track is designed to give youth leaving detention the support they need to make a fresh start," Mr Lister said.
Member for Warrego Ann Leahy said the Crisafulli Government was committed to making Queensland safer.
"Staying on Track will help prevent another generation of serious repeat offenders and will restore safety across Queensland," Ms Leahy said.
Anglicare Southern Queensland General Manager Tahnee Ledgerwood said the program strengthened support for young people across the region.
"Staying on Track complements Anglicare's existing services that address the underlying causes of youth crime and will provide local young people the support needed to move forward with confidence after detention," Ms Ledgerwood said.
"We are pleased to be partnering with the Crisafulli Government to continue helping at-risk youth in the Toowoomba region."
OzChild CEO delegate Jarrod Edwards said the program would empower young people.
"Staying on Track is about giving young people a genuine chance to rebuild their lives, reconnect with community and culture, and create a future they can be proud of," Mr Edwards said.
"This partnership brings together the best of evidence-based practice and community-led wisdom to ensure every young person leaving detention is met with guidance, care and belief in their potential."
