Probe into Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre breakout attempt

The ringleader of a botched escape attempt from a Victorian youth justice centre was in custody in connection to a high-profile homicide and has been responsible for a succession of brutal assaults on staff and other inmates.

An ambulance enters the Malmsbury Youth Justice centre. File picture: Rob Leeson

The ringleader of a botched escape attempt from a youth justice centre was in custody in connection to a high-profile homicide and has been responsible for a succession of brutal assaults on staff and other inmates.

The teen thug is believed to have overpowered a staff member and stolen their swipe card, allowing a number of teens to escape from a secured unit in the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre on Tuesday.

Since entering youth custody, last year, the teen has launched a series of savage beatings against staff and other inmates, most unprovoked.

MALMSBURY YOUTH JAIL IN LOCKDOWN

In one vicious assault he stomped and punched a staff member as he lay on the ground. The worker was taken to hospital with facial injuries.

File image of police leaving the Malmsbury Youth Justice centre. Picture: Rob Leeson

The youth is considered one of the most troublesome teens inside the youth justice system.

He has been transferred between the Parkville and Malmsbury youth justice centres in an effort to stem his influence on other inmates.

On Tuesday afternoon the teen led a gang of up to eight other prisoners out of the Latrobe unit and onto a shared oval, still inside the jail precinct.

It is believed he stole the swipe card from the staff member’s belt as the teen’s were being escorted to attend classes.

It is believed the teens had planned to use the stolen swipe card unlock the other nearby secured units. releasing more inmates, and then escape the facility.

But officers surrounded the teens, who had armed themselves with sharpened toothbrushes, using CS spray to bring them under control.

Paramedics were called to the Mollison Street facility and assessed five people.

One staff member was taken to hospital for treatment on a minor neck injuries. WorkSafe inspectors yesterday were at the central Victorian youth prison facility today to investigate the incident.

Youth justice minister Ben Carroll said there would be a review into the escape. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images/File

The Herald Sun understands there had been rumblings of trouble in the days before the attack.

Youth justice minister Ben Carroll announced the department of Justice and Community Safety would review the attempted escape.

“The incident was contained within a matter of minutes and I commend the staff involved.”

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokeswoman said the emergency response procedures were quickly enacted and the disturbance was quickly quelled.

“Staff are to be commended for their swift and professional response to this incident,’’ she said.

“The incident will be reviewed by the Department of Justice and Community Safety, and referrals made to Victoria Police for investigation.”

In a separate incident yesterday a teen paramedics were called to Malmsbury and a teen was transported to hospital for further treatment.