Ashley Youth Detention Centre to be replaced by five facilities
It’s been revealed the Ashley Youth Detention Centre will be replaced by five purpose-built facilities around the state. Here’s the plan and how it will work.
Tasmania
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THE Ashley Youth Detention Centre will be replaced by five purpose-built facilities around the state, the government announced on Tuesday.
Minister for Education, Children and Youth Roger Jaensch released plans for the replacement in state parliament today as part of the government’s new draft Youth Justice Blueprint.
The much-maligned hundred-year-old facility will be replaced by a detention/remand centre in the state’s south; two assisted bail facilities, one in the north or northwest and one in the south; and two supported residential facilities, one in the north or northwest and one in the south.
“A statewide facility, the southern detention/remand centre will provide the opportunity for intensive intervention and rehabilitation through a therapeutic model of care,” the minister said.
“This facility will be limited to young people over the age of 14 with exceptions for those who commit the most serious crimes.
“Our assisted bail facilities aim to reduce the number of young people remanded to a detention centre by providing safe, stable accommodation together with assistance in managing their bail conditions and support to address their underlying needs.
“We are also taking an innovative approach to supporting transition for young people from detention to independence with our two supported residential centres.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the action was welcome.
“Following the UN rapporteur’s visit to Ashley Youth Detention Centre, and the National Children’s Commissioner raising serious concerns, it’s pleasing to see the government release a draft youth justice plan,” she said.
“While the draft plan represents a major, important shift for youth justice and lays out the steps forward, it doesn’t solve Tasmania’s current youth justice failings. This is only a draft blueprint, with the final to be released next year.
“Ashley is scheduled to close at the end of 2024. It’s uncertain whether that time frame will be met.”
The government also on Tuesday tabled in parliament the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Bill 2022 that will implement key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, four years after they were made.
The Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings heard in May that the legislation had been hampered by “miscommunication” and was being redrafted.
The legislation creates a legislative framework for complying with Child and Youth Safe Standards and establishes a Reportable Conduct Scheme and an independent regulator, Attorney-General Elise Archer said.
“Up to 8,000 organisations are estimated to work with children and young people — including justice and detention services for children, education services for children, Government agencies, other community services, businesses, clubs and associations — and all will have to comply with the Framework,” she said.
The Independent Regulator will be established from July 1, 2023 and the Framework will commence from January 1, 2024.
Originally published as Ashley Youth Detention Centre to be replaced by five facilities
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