Principals ‘blindsided’ by Allan govt plan for teen criminals to attend mainstream high school classes

High-risk teenage offenders are set to attend mainstream Victorian schools, secret documents have revealed, with the state government holding firm on the plan despite calls for it to be scrapped.

High-risk teen criminals wearing ankle bracelets are set to be placed in state school classrooms from next month.

The Herald Sun on Friday revealed that secret documents detail a two-year state government plan to allow up to 50 young criminals aged 14 to 18 to go to mainstream schools, while ­receiving support to ensure they do not face stigmatisation from other students.

Those involved in the trial will have a high risk of bail noncompliance or reoffending.

Some will be permitted to ­attend school without ankle bracelets if ordered by a ­magistrate.

Up to 50 young criminals aged 14 to 18 will to go to mainstream schools under the plan.

But the state government is holding firm on the plan amid calls for it to be scrapped, with a two-year trial due to start in April.

Late on Saturday, a Victorian government spokesman said there was “strict criteria when determining who is suitable for the electronic monitoring program”.

“Getting young people re-engaged with school, training or work is a proven way to help them break the cycle of offending,” he said.

“We will always prioritise the safety of staff and students.”

It is understood that only schools that have the experience or capacity to deal with young offenders will be involved in the electronic monitoring and supervised bail trial.

Youth crime has skyrocketed to its highest level in 15 years.

These measures come as youth crime has skyrocketed to its highest level in 15 years, with some of the state’s worst repeat youth offenders having been bailed up to 67 times.

The number of youths now facing more than 30 charges for criminal incidents has more than doubled in the past year – up to 103 offenders.

Last year, 20 offenders alone were behind 309 aggravated burglaries, while 103 repeat ­offenders carried out at least 3090 crimes.

Staff from selected secondary schools were briefed on the Enhanced Bail Supervision and Support plan this week.

One sounded a strong ­warning.

“Some of these kids have been invading homes so how can they go to school with the families they’ve been terrorising?” they said.

“The schools weren’t identified but I’ll bet they are in Hoppers Crossing or Tarneit or Pakenham, not Toorak or Kew.”

The briefing stated that school staff would play key roles in helping young offenders to wear and charge their ankle bracelets and to “manage the stigmatisation and any concerns raised by members of the school community”.

Some teen criminals may be allowed to attend school without ankle bracelets. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Supports offered to the youths include “cultural supports and lived experience mentoring” and “programs to address the underlying causes of offending behaviour”.

Participation can be ordered by judges or magistrates from the Children’s Court or Supreme Court, with offenders to have three-person teams supporting them and bail plans.

Australian Principals Federation Victorian president Tina King said her phone had been “ringing off the hook”.

“There are grave concerns that schools were not consulted and many principals are saying there was a lack of transparency and information about this plan,” she said.

“This plan needs to be scrapped and the funding reallocated to supporting the education of these young offenders in appropriately secure environments.”

Council of State Secondary Principals Victorian president Colin Axup said the trial had been planned “without genuine consultation with principals, the very people who will be responsible for these repeat offenders during school hours”.

“Every young person should have access to education in a safe environment, however, the question is whether a standard school is an appropriate setting for these young people,” he said.

Leaked documents detail the plan which will see up to 50 young criminals wearing ankle bracelets receive support from school staff. Picture: Supplied

Picture: Supplied

Opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson said the plan posed an unacceptable risk to students, staff and families – all while shifting responsibility to principals and schools.

“Education has an important role to play in rehabilitation and getting young offenders on the right path, but this must be provided in an appropriate setting that does not jeopardise the safety of others, and delivers the appropriate and necessary supports for youth offenders,” she said.

“Premier Allan and Minister Carroll must abandon their plan to put high-risk young offenders in classrooms.”

According to Department of Education policy, schools educating students in the youth justice system must be given a mentor, support groups and a setting that is “positive, culturally safe and free from stigma”.

Young offenders can also ­attend school in juvenile detention, but one former youth worker said it was deemed “uncool to go to school”.

She said they would “welcome the chance to mix with normal people in mainstream schools and it would be a good place for them”.

Originally published as Principals ‘blindsided’ by Allan govt plan for teen criminals to attend mainstream high school classes