Violent teen prisoner escapes adult jail cell
A VIOLENT teen prisoner who sexually assaulted an officer and bashed another has escaped being sent to an adult jail, despite boasting about his exploits on social media.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A VIOLENT teen prisoner who sexually assaulted an officer and bashed another has escaped being sent to an adult jail.
The boy — who cannot be named for legal reasons — has instead remained in juvenile detention and been sent back to the youth jail where he molested his original victim.
Some staff have expressed concern that they are not being protected from the most dangerous of the juvenile justice system’s inmates.
There is confusion about why the boy was allowed to stay in the under-age system while others have been sent to adult prisons for misconduct.
FOUR YOUTH INMATES HEADED FOR ADULT PRISONS
The teen earlier this year sexually assaulted a worker at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre in central Victoria
This led to his transfer to Parkville where he is accused of a nasty one-punch attack on an officer.
Another inmate brandishing a hammer was set to join in the violence when other staff members intervened.
There are fears the attack was part of a plot to escape the centre.
The teen was moved back to Malmsbury, where he was an instigator of a wild riot in which inmates escaped and property was destroyed early last year.
He committed a carjacking and other offences in its immediate aftermath, boasting on social media of his exploits while on the run.
“He’s got career criminal written all over him,” one source said.
VICTORIAN CRIME STATISTICS SHOW SEX OFFENCE REPORTS INCREASE
The Youth Parole Board is responsible for deciding whether a juvenile inmate can be transferred to an adult jail.
Families and Children Minister Jenny Mikakos said the government had introduced “tougher consequences” for those who offend while in custody.
“The safety of our staff is our highest priority. Violent behaviour against staff is not tolerated and is referred to police,” Ms Mikakos said.
Opposition families and children spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said staff and other inmates needed to be protected.
“Someone has to explain on what grounds this repeat violent offender has been allowed to stay in youth jail,” Ms Crozier said.
“You do have to wonder what this person has to actually do, to be sent to adult jail.”