Victoria law changes: Strict bail, curfews, for young thugs
THE state’s worst teen criminals will be forced to meet strict new curfews or other supervision requirements as part of their sentences, under sweeping law changes.
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THE state’s worst teen criminals will be forced to meet strict new curfews or other supervision requirements as part of their sentences, under sweeping law changes.
Strict monitoring of thugs could even result in electronic tracking, or bans on associating with certain people, after the Andrews Government finally vowed to get tough on repeat offending. Other changes to the state’s justice system, which will initially cost $32 million but are expected to result in significant ongoing costs, include:
A NEW bail supervision scheme based on a UK model that includes more regular reporting to police;
AN EXTRA 58 specialist youth justice workers and eight psychologists recruited;
MORE Children’s Court matters heard in Supreme or County Courts;
THE maximum term of youth detention extended from three to four years.
Courts would also be asked to keep the same magistrate on cases relating to young offenders, in order to have more effective monitoring of repeat offenders.
Many of the changes were requested by police after the Victoria Police Youth Summit held this year.
Premier Daniel Andrews said most people were happy to give young offenders a second chance, but not a third and fourth. “These comprehensive reforms will hold young offenders to account and help keep Victorians safe,” he said.
He also revealed after rioting teens trashed the Parkville Youth Justice Centre, the Government may build a new facility rather than just upgrade Parkville.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said action on youth crime was long overdue but warned the new measures were not enough and “smack of tokenism”.
Concerns have been raised about whether tougher penalties available to the Children’s Court will be used. The Herald Sun can reveal only two maximum three-year terms were handed out to youth offenders between January 2010 and March 2016, both for rape.
Families Minister Jenny Mikakos said the new specialist teams to work in youth justice, which will include eight psychologists, will work with young offenders before and after their release from detention.
