Bodybuilding powders supplied to youth offenders wanting to muscle-up in youth justice jails
They’re some of Victoria’s most dangerous youths held in prisons like Parkville where assaults on staff are a major issue. So why can they get supplements to help them muscle up?
VIC News
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Bodybuilding powders are being supplied to teenage offenders wanting to muscle up in the state’s youth jails.
The supplements are sold at the Parkville and Malmsbury youth justice centres, where assaults on staff have been a major issue in recent years.
Bags of the whey-based powders — designed to build mass — are sold for $18 each at the detainees’ canteen.
Staff, who have been on the end of regular violence in recent years, are angered at the product being available when they are already finding themselves out-muscled.
“Why would you allow them to buy that stuff when you already know they’re violent?” a source said.
Detainees have access to gymnasiums in both facilities.
They have been sold in adult prisons for many years.
A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesman said the powders were only available to detainees who had attained the highest behaviour level.
“Young people in Victorian youth justice centres have the opportunity to use their earnings to purchase a limited range of basic food and toiletry items,” the spokesman said.
“The items available for purchase depend on the young person’s behaviour rating.”
Youth justice centres have had an incentive-based model since 2017, following a youth justice review.
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Sports Dietitians Australia said the use of dietary supplements was “unwarranted and hazardous” for adolescents wanting to enhance exercise performance.
SDA president Simone Austin said whey protein was not recommended for teens.
“Whey protein powders are very high in protein, but not carbohydrate. Young growing adolescents need a lot of carbohydrate and nutrients to grow,” Ms Austin said.
“If they were to use a supplement we would want them to do it under the guidance of a medical practitioner or an accredited sports dietitian.”