Youth Justice faces ‘system overhaul’ after $2.2m riots bill

A JUSTICE heavyweight is the acting head of youth justice with former director Ian Lanyon moved aside, after rampaging teens caused up to $2.2m damage in youth jail riots.

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A JUSTICE heavyweight is being installed as the acting head of youth justice after former director Ian Lanyon was moved aside.

As part of a “system overhaul”, Department of Justice North Division Executive Director Jodi Henderson has been made the interim head of secure services at the Department of Health and Human Services.

It comes after Mr Lanyon was unexpectedly moved to an internal adviser role this month, however the department claims the move was part of a pre-planned youth justice shake-up.

The latest move comes after rampaging teenagers have left Victorian taxpayers with a bill of up to $2.2 million for damage to the Parkville and Malmsbury youth justice centres following multiple riots in 2016.

The cost includes up to $1 million in damage caused on November 12, when youths ransacked units in Parkville, destroying walls and beds and attempted to start a fire, prompting riot police to storm the facility.

Ian Lanyon, former director of Victoria’s Youth Justice.

Dozens of police were forced to restore order in multiple cases. Picture: Tony Gough

Dozens of police leave the Parkville youth jail following unrest in November. Picture: Tony Gough

A Department spokesman acknowledged "recent events have highlighted the need to overhaul Victoria’s youth justice system".

"The management structure of Victoria’s Youth Justice operations is being examined as part of the system overhaul.

"Ian Lanyon is taking up a new role as Special Adviser for Youth Justice Operations. The role will be based at DHHS head office.

"Mr Lanyon’s policy and operational experience will be invaluable in this role, providing expertise as we design and implement a new operating model and new infrastructure."

Since 2014 the Andrews Government commissioned former NSW Juvenile Justice director Peter Muir to carry out two reviews into Victoria youth Justice centres.

Neither of the reports have been released by the State Government however it is understood the evidence uncovered was "alarming".

Last year former Victoria Police commissioner Neil Comrie was also brought in to run a wider review, which is ongoing.

The office of Youth Affairs Minister Jenny Mikakos declined to comment on the department’s overhaul.

However previously she has backed Mr Lanyon’s handling of incidents within the facilities.

But Opposition leader Matthew Guy raised concerns about the sudden changes.

“Ian Lanyon is the fall guy for a woeful minister in a government that has lost control of the youth justice system.

“What we see today is more damning revelations that this government and the minister have completely lost control of our youth justice system.

“Our state needs more than just excuses from the Andrews Government, it needs more than scapegoating of public servants, we need the minister to take responsibility. If she won’t, she should go.”