Parkville Youth Justice Precinct riots, fights: The shocking stories that made headlines

From riots to king hits and staff attacks, here is a list of moments the troubled Parkville Youth Justice Precinct made headlines.

Parkville Youth Justice Precinct is home to some of the state’s worst young crims, including the heartless teen killer who slain Laa Chol in a CBD apartment.

From riots, to food fights, king hits and staff attacks, here is a list of moments the troubled centre made headlines.

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

Parkville was believed to have entered lockdown following reports of positive COVID-19 tests in July.

At least three staff were told not to report for work following the confirmed cases, with inmates believed to have been locked down as management tried to control the spread on July 19.

On July 27, an alleged teen carjacker was forced to isolate after he tested positive.

The 17-year-old remained in a single cell for two weeks after he was refused bail.

Staff were also ordered to undergo temperature tests before shifts.

MENTAL HEALTH THREAT

A damning report found violence and aggression at Parkville and Malmsbury “must be addressed” to protect the mental health and wellbeing of hundreds of staff.

The University of South Australia risk assessment survey — which interviewed 162 prison guards from the troubled prisons — found behavioural management of incarcerated young people was a “difficult” part of the job.

The results, released in May, found logistic problems at the two prisons were flagged, including staffing, task and workload allocation, training, recognition and retention, and performance management.

“Both sets of risk factors — job-related factors and work- design factors — need to be addressed to protect the mental health and wellbeing of staff,” the Centre for Workplace Excellence report said.

“Overall there is high level of risk to staff mental health and wellbeing at both precincts.

“At both sites, the four highest-rated risk areas identified through the risk assessment were managing tasks and workload; managing underperformance; appraising and rewarding job performance; and maintaining a safe work environment.”

POWDER BLOWUP

Parkville staff were left outraged after it was revealed that bodybuilding powders were being supplied to teenage offenders across the state.

In February the Herald Sun revealed the supplements were being sold at Parkville and Malmsbury, where assaults on staff had been a major issue in recent years.

The whey-based powders — designed to build mass — were available for $18 each at the detainees’ canteen.

Staff, who have been on the end of regular violence in recent years, said they were angered at the product being available when they already found themselves out-muscled.

In a 2017 review, former Victoria Police commissioner Neil Comrie stated it was “not unusual” for young male offenders to weigh more than 100kg and grow more than 190cm tall.

“Why would you allow them to buy that stuff when you already know they’re violent?” a source said.

Parkville Youth Justice Precinct forms part of the wider Youth Justice Precinct, which also encompasses Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct. Picture: Generic

RACIST CLAIMS

Youth justice workers disputed claims of racism made in the defence of a teen who murdered 19-year-old Laa Chol.

In January a Supreme Court pre-sentence hearing was reportedly told by a teacher who works with detainees that “African boys” were the subject of racist collective punishment.

But staff said the allegations were false and that they had endured numerous attacks from the 18-year-old inmate at Parkville and Malmsbury.

Workers said their job was difficult enough without incorrect accusations made in support of a boy who had subjected them to violence and intimidation.

The teen stabbed Laa, a popular young law student, through the heart during a party at a short-stay apartment in the EQ Tower.

One source said the boy was in no way a victim but was frequently the aggressor against staff and other detainees.

“People were shattered. They felt tarnished. Where’s the evidence?” one source said.

“If he doesn’t get his own way, he’s as violent as.”

KING HIT

A prison officer was repeatedly punched in a shocking attack in a remand unit in January.

It’s believed an inmate unleashed the wild assault after he was ordered to leave the kitchen area.

The injured officer was taken to hospital and the unit placed into lockdown.

Paramedics assessed a man for upper body injuries at 12.45pm.

He was transferred to hospital in a stable condition.

Community and Public Sector Union spokesman Julian Kennelly said staff had “lost confidence” in management’s ability to protect staff.

GANGING UP

About 94 youngsters at the 125-capacity Parkville centre were revealed to be aligned with gangs in January.

Guards told the Herald Sun that three-quarters of inmates in the state’s biggest youth justice prisons were gang members.

Victoria Police vowed to track all the gang members when they return to the community.

The Opposition said many children entering the system for minor offences were being groomed inside.

Guards told the Herald Sun that new ultra-violent gangs include Squad Shit Only and Next Generation Soldiers.

Their established rivals ­include Menace To Society, Blood Drill Killers, Brotherhood and 62.

Opposition spokesman for youth justice, Brad Battin, said kids who entered the youth justice system for minor offences were often preyed upon by hardened gangsters, offering protection while inside.

Once released, these new recruits were expected to perform high-level crimes as repayment, he said.

“Prisons are a fantastic recruiting ground to get young, vulnerable people,” Mr Battin added.

COSTLY CHAOS

Taxpayers footed a bill of more than $10 million to fix Victoria’s damaged youth justice centres as rampaging youths caused chaos between 2016 and 2019.

The Herald Sun revealed the mounting cost hit $7.1 million for damage and repair works at Parkville and Malmsbury.

It was is on top of $3.3 million spent after dozens of youths ransacked units during riot incidents, destroying walls, ceilings and beds in 2016 and 2017.

It is understood the majority of the costs related to damage caused by youth offenders.

But some of the money was also spent on maintenance and improving security as a result of increasing unrest within the facilities.

ROOF CREEPERS

Teen inmates scaled the roof at Parkville last February, making a mockery of upgrades made after damage caused by riots.

Shirtless and vandalising the roof, one inmate made obscene gestures and shouted at the media as authorities tried to get him down on February 20.

Another youth was removed from the roof two days later, sparking an investigation as to how the offenders pulled off the stunt.

A witness said she heard banging and walked out to the footpath on Park St, where she could see the youth clutching what appeared to be a large stick.

A youth on the roof on February 20, 2019. Picture: Alex Coppel.

NOVEMBER MADNESS

Three horror incidents sent Parkville into chaos in November last year.

On November 11, a youth prison officer was hospitalised after a brawl involving 12 inmates.

The officer was struck while breaking up a fight between a group of youths who rushed through a gate between two units to assault another inmate.

On November 16, a violent food fight broke out, leaving three staff members in hospital with upper body injuries.

Inmates were locked in their cells for a number of days after the fight as staff were ordered to stop work.

The inmates had their movements restricted around the facility and visits were suspended.

RIOT HELL

A huge riot gripped the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre for 17 hours in November 2016, causing millions of dollars worth of damage.

A total of 28 young ­offenders from four units — armed with makeshift weapons — were involved.

Four units were destroyed and 60 beds taken out of the system.

The Herald Sun was told one detainee — a repeat offender regarded as among the system’s worst — scrambled into the ceiling space in a Parkville unit.

From there, he smashed through the top of other teens rooms and dragged them up and out.

A growing mob made its way to the South Bank unit — home of a number of Apex gang members — and set about the kind of destructive spree which has plagued the state’s youth justice system for many months.

Windows were smashed, walls destroyed and security doors, weighing hundreds of kilograms, ripped down.

Hammers, chisels, screwdrivers and lumps of wood were seized from a tool storage area as staff beat a retreat.

The 20-bed Eastern Hill unit was flooded after inmates smashed the sprinklers using stolen tools.

An angle grinder — used in a metal work program — was then used to cut through locks on several doors and breach restricted areas.

Other children, frustrated they were forced into lockdown most of the weekend, began pulling sprinklers in their cells to cause flooding.

More vulnerable youths tried to escape their cells and living units so they would not be affected by the violence.

Left behind was a damage bill difficult to publicly calculate because of the secrecy which has for a long time surrounded such outbursts.

It was top of the previous night’s riot which had already left the centre struggling to cope because of the widespread wrecking of accommodation.

Millions of dollars’ worth of damage was caused as youths rioted. Picture: Supplied.

The ceilings were destroyed. Picture: Supplied

Glass doors were shattered. Picture: Supplied

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