Townsville youth crime: $1m for new staff in intensive, ‘slow’ repeat offender program

The state government has committed $1m for extra intensive, hands-on Youth Justice staff in Townsville to help the ‘hard nut’ repeat offenders.

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer with intensive case worker Aida Cook and Indigenous support services officer Keisha Tremlett at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

The number of staff doing intensive 12-month one-on-one work with the “hard nut” repeat youth offenders in Townsville will double to eight with a $1m funding boost announced Wednesday.

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said the program was slow but effective, as young people and families with complex health and substance issues were given everyday support.

“You can only do four or five young people and their families (per staff member, per year). So that’s why it is very time consuming. And that’s why we need to boost this program,” the Minister said.

A 2022 independent evaluation of the program found intensive case management brought strong, positive economic benefits for the criminal justice system and broader community, was culturally-appropriate for First Nations families, and was more effective than other measures for serious offenders.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson and Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

Statewide about 20 per cent of youth offenders committed about half of all crime, Ms Farmer said.

“They’re the hard nuts to crack. Those young people have been exposed to domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, disengagement from education … substance abuse problems,” she said.

Townsville police speaking with youth on the streets as part of a high visibility patrol operation, carried out across 2023.

“You can’t turn around those young people just with an ordinary program.”

There are currently 81 intensive case managers in the state, working out of 16 centres; they are moved around as needs be.

That fluidity gives Wednesday’s $1 million funding boost statewide implications.

However, with eight case workers in Townsville, the North Queensland city will have the most.

Two staff from elsewhere in Youth Justice will fill new intensive case roles in Townsville immediately, and the two further new slots are being advertised.

Intensive case managers can meet with youths in custody at Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, but the program supports the young person and their family every day once they are released. Picture: Evan Morgan

One case worker can effectively work with four or five youths and their families per year, so the department projects eight staff can help 32-40 youths in North Queensland each year.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson said without intensive case managers, youths leave Cleveland Youth Detention Centre and reoffend.

“We make sure we get every offender that we can and put them before the court or involve them in some other intensive case management style program, alternative to court that we can,” the Chief Superintendent said.

“Because if we’re serious about making sure the young people in our community become functioning members of our society, we need to make sure that we give them support,” he said.

Originally published as Townsville youth crime: $1m for new staff in intensive, ‘slow’ repeat offender program