Number of children, teenagers in remand custody in Victoria soaring
THE number of children and teenagers being held on remand in Victoria has soared to alarming levels, according to the Children’s Court of Victoria annual report.
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THE number of children and teenagers being held on remand in Victoria has soared to alarming levels, according to the Children’s Court of Victoria annual report.
The trend is putting pressure on available cells and facilities suitable for youths in custody with the number of children being held before trial soaring to 57 per cent.
The report said that despite the higher numbers kept behind bars, guilty verdicts had declined.
Judge Peter Couzens said Victoria needed to find a solution.
“The number of alleged young offenders being admitted to remand increased alarmingly following the commencement of amendments to the Bail Act,’’ he wrote.
“It is hoped that solutions can be found to address this undesirable development.’’
Experts say some children being held on remand are between 10 and 14 years old.
In the bid to alleviate the problem, Attorney-General Martin Pakula announced relaxing bail laws for children in November.
Children will no longer face an offence of breaking a condition of bail.