State government backflip on troubled Parkville youth justice facility

Despite promising to shutdown the problematic Parkville Youth Justice facility, the state government will keep the jail open and make significant changes to Victoria’s new youth facility.

Police prepare to enter the Youth Justice Centre in Parkville in 2016. Picture: Mark Dadswell

The state government has slashed the size of Victoria’s new youth justice jail and reversed its decision to shut down the troubled Parkville facility.

The $288 million high-security facility in Werribee, which is due to open in 2021, was supposed to include 244 beds for youth offenders.

But in an announcement made quietly on Friday night, the government revealed the Cherry Creek facility would now only have 140 beds and will be “master planned” to include more if required.

An artist's impression of the new youth justice facility at Cherry Creek. Source: State Government

The government committed to building the new youth jail in 2017 after a spate of shocking incidents at the Parkville and Malmbsury facilities, including riots and escapes.

Premier Daniel Andrews also promised to close Parkville after what he said was a “very damning commentary” in a report by former police chief Neil Comrie.

“(It) talks about the fact that if a facility is not secure, then no rehabilitation, no effective programs, can be run in that facility,” Mr Andrews said at the time.

Under the changes, Parkville will now be designed to house female youth offenders and males aged under 15.

Male offenders aged 15 to 18 will be placed at Cherry Creek, and Malmsbury will continue to house males aged 15 to 21.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews at the opening of the new Orygen youth mental health centre in Parkville. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

The Cherry Creek jail — previously described by the government as the “highest-security youth justice facility that Victoria has ever seen” — will still include secure accommodation units, an intensive intervention unit and advanced technology to monitor the movement of inmates.

Youth Justice Minister Ben Carroll said the government was “rebuilding Victoria’s youth justice system and ensuring our dedicated staff are working in safe and secure facilities”.

“This facility will manage the most complex and challenging young people in custody to prevent reoffending and keep the community safe,” he said.

“We’re also delivering more staff, upgrading infrastructure, expanding rehabilitation programs and mental health services for young people.”

Victoria’s Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People Liana Buchanan welcomed the changes announced by the government.

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But she told 3AW that Parkville still needed significant work as it was “not fit as a youth justice facility”.

“When I go into Parkville … it’s more austere, movement is more limited, it’s more intimidating and imposing than any maximum security adult prison in this state,” she said.

Opposition youth justice spokesman Brad Battin said: “Daniel Andrews is back-flipping on his promised 240-bed youth justice centre, just one of many failures putting Victoria’s youth justice system in chaos.

“This is a government that has lost control of our jails and keeps putting money ahead of safety in Victoria.”

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