Queensland’s ‘boot camps’ to tackle youth crime

Queensland juveniles at risk of falling foul of the law will take part in a new boot-camp-style program as part of the state government’s tough approach to youth crime. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Queensland juveniles at risk of falling foul of the law will take part in a new boot-camp-style program as part of the state government’s tough approach to youth crime.

The Regional Reset program will be launched in nine locations, targeting children at risk of offending, and those disengaging from school or showing signs of aggression or substance abuse, among other factors.

The first early-intervention program located in Thornton, west of Brisbane — similar to the former Newman government’s youth boot camp plan — will be rolled out by the Kokoda Youth Foundation.

Other areas where the Regional Reset programs will be run include in Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Central Queensland (Rockhampton), Gold Coast-Logan, Ipswich-Darling Downs (Ipswich), Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay (Bundaberg) and Western Queensland.

They will be funded by the government’s $560m investment in new early intervention and rehabilitation programs.

The Ipswich-Darling Downs location at Thornton, west of Brisbane, will be run by the Kokoda Youth Foundation.

Participants in the program will attend three short-stay “resets” over 12 months, at a residential facility at Kokoda Park.

Wayward kids will take part in outdoor boot-camp-style personal development challenges and digital detoxes, as well as activities to develop emotional and social skills.

Premier David Crisafulli said the plan was giving young people hope, structure, discipline and a sense of belonging to help turn their life around.

“Above all, it is about making sure that we deal with youth crime at every stage of the process... (you’ve) heard us speak a lot about early intervention and rehabilitation, and that’s what this is,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Queenslanders don’t feel safe in their homes, and they don’t feel safe in the streets, and that’s why we have to continue doing the things we are doing and driving down the number of victims.

“That’s why we have to invest in early intervention.”

Opposition youth justice spokeswoman Di Farmer said the LNP needed to promise that the plan would not be a “2.0” of former LNP premier Campbell Newman’s boot camps that were scrapped in 2015.

“How are they going to make them stay there? How are they going to turn kids’ lives around in three weeks when they’re already at risk of entering the youth justice system?” Ms Farmer said.

“It’s time we saw answers.”

Opposition youth justice spokeswoman Di Farmer on Sunday. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Kokoda Youth Foundation CEO Angie Debnam said the program was designed for young people facing real and complex challenges. “Whether they are disengaging from school, experiencing family instability or coming into early contact with the youth justice system,” she said.

Voice For Victims co-director Trudy Reading said while they welcomed programs that had potential to curb youth crime, they had not be consulted on the initiative.

“As a victim advocacy group, it is also important to highlight that, to date, very little has been invested in support for victims,” she said.

“We look forward to seeing the budgeted funding begin to flow to those who are still hurting and too often falling through the cracks.”

Ms Reading hoped the government would back programs with proven success, and that the judiciary had access to these new programs.

Youth advocate Jeremy Donovan said there needed to be consideration around long-term outcomes for the children taking part.

“There has to be continuity,” Mr Donovan said.

“Twelve months is great but what happens after that?

“Do they go back to living in the same environment?”

Originally published as Queensland’s ‘boot camps’ to tackle youth crime