Authorities criticised as Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre football ‘friendly’ turns violent

TROUBLED teens have lashed out at rivals in a controversial ‘friendly’ youth football match at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre that descended into violence.

A GROUP of teen prisoners viciously attacked vulnerable youths during a community football match at a trouble-plagued youth jail last week.

The Herald Sun had been told that on Wednesday, youths from disadvantaged backgrounds went from Bendigo to the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre for a friendly match with a team of inmates, most of whom were aged in their late teens.

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It’s believed the match turned violent, and some of the troubled youths lashed out at their opponents.

One boy is suspected of breaking the nose of another.

Corrections system insiders have questioned the judgment of authorities who organised the match and who condoned the team selections.

Some of the Malmsbury players were known to have a history of violence.

Police attend the Malmsbury riots in 2017. Picture: Rob Leeson

The Herald Sun also believes that one of the youths involved had been involved in an infamous police pursuit that ended on the West Gate Bridge in 2016.

A Department of Justice and Regulation spokesman said an incident on Wednesday at Malmsbury had been quickly resolved by staff.

“Young people were assessed on site and treated for injuries,” the spokesman said.

“Violent or dangerous behaviour in youth justice centres is not tolerated, and in accordance with general practice, the incident has been referred to police.”

Ambulance Victoria said no paramedics had been called to the youth prison.

Since September 2016, the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre has experienced several breakouts and riots.

In January last year, a manhunt followed a breakout by 15 young prisoners.

Officers track down Malmsbury escapees in Ashburton in 2016.

In March, staff were left fearing for their safety after a dangerous teen inmate was allowed to stay in youth detention despite having a history of violent attacks on officers.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sexually assaulted one employee at Malmsbury and bashed another at Parkville.

After learning of the incidents, the Youth Parole Board chose not to move him to adult jail, instead sending back to Malmsbury, where he molested his first victim and instigated a wild riot that led to last year’s prison breakout.

That decision created concern among staff who felt that they were not being protected from the state’s most violent juvenile offenders.

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