Work has commenced to upgrade Youth Justice Centres across NSW as the Minns Labor Government delivers tightened security and additional Incident Response Teams to help make the facilities safer and prevent banned items.
The work is designed to protect staff and house young people more safely, as well as providing access to key programs to help break the cycle of offending.
Additional CCTV cameras and new X-ray body scanners have been installed at the six NSW Youth Justice Centres across the state, with security training for staff increased.
During the past 12 months, staff in Youth Justice Centres reported more than 230 incidents where contraband items were detected and removed to keep young people safe, including homemade knives, mobile phones, lighters, vapes and cigarettes.
The Minns Labor Government has also expanded highly-trained Incident Response Teams to support staff at all six Youth Justice Centres to de-escalate or respond to potential incidents. An additional 70 officers have joined the Incident Response Teams, which were previously only deployed at two centres.
The Minns Labor Government is investing more than $138 million over four years in staffing and capital works, adding 85 beds to the system as part of its commitment to keeping young people and the community safe. Providing greater supervision and more specialised support where needed is also intended to give young people a better chance to change their behaviours and find new paths in life.
Works include refurbishment of accommodation units and construction of additional specialised units for young people needing higher levels of support and supervision at Western Sydney's Cobham Youth Justice Centre and the Frank Baxter Centre on the Central Coast.
Refurbishments are also underway at Orana Youth Justice Centre in Dubbo and Reiby Youth Justice Centre in Airds. Construction at Acmena Youth Justice Centre in Grafton will deliver a new building for the Justice Health Clinic, providing facilities for group programs.
The works are part of the $138 million investment, the largest single boost in Youth Justice in decades for enhancements to custodial services and to strengthen diversionary programs to make communities safer and support young people at risk. It builds on $124.6 million already committed to youth crime and diversion programs.
Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib said:
"Young people who receive a custodial sentence and enter a Youth Justice facility as a consequence of their actions need an environment that is both safer and more secure for themselves and for staff.
"Most of the young people in detention at any given time are there on remand, meaning overall numbers fluctuate day to day.
"These new Incident Response Teams and enhanced security mean we are better prepared to quickly de-escalate and respond to incidents and prevent contraband from entering facilities.
"These refurbishments and building works also support Youth Justice officers and specialist resources to work with young people who have offended and, through targeted support, training programs and mentoring, help them find better futures.
"We are giving young people a chance to access the many programs that can help them break the cycle of offending, build new lives and keep them out of the criminal justice system."
Department of Communities and Justice Secretary Michael Tidball said:
"Providing enhanced support and improved security at our Youth Justice centres is creating a safer, more positive environment for young people and for our staff.
"The work that has been done, and that is now being undertaken, will help young people access a range of supports from health, education and skills training in a supportive, safe and focused way.
"Our staff go the extra mile to support the young people in their care and having a safe, secure workplace gives them the confidence that we are looking out for them and giving them the resources they need.
"Helping young people find stability, learn new skills and reconnect with family and community is a key part of breaking the cycle of reoffending and finding paths to happy and meaningful lives."
