Takeaway bill for Victoria’s youth justice inmates tops $15,000

THUGS in youth detention are taking the pizza and you’re footing the $15,000 bill, secret documents reveal.

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TEEN thugs at Parkville and Malmsbury youth detention centres have scoffed more than $15,000 of pizza deliveries at taxpayers’ expense.

Inmates were treated to takeaway feeds about 50 times last year, up from 25 the year before, documents obtained using FOI laws reveal.

The biggest single bill was $1379 for a feast enjoyed by inmates in January 2016.

Dominos pizza delivered four large pizzas plus a bag of 'delicious treats'. Picture: Jason Edwards

Several large spends coincided with riots and lockdowns at the two centres, while on other occasions pizza was used to reward “good behaviour” from detainees.

The Herald Sun sought details of pizza spending for youth detainees after our photographers captured a delivery driver dropping off four large meatlovers to Parkville youth justice centre in November.

Two government departments took months to deliver the information, but the state government was quick to serve up their spin on it this afternoon.

Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos issued a statement saying spending on takeaway food to reward good behaviour or during lockdowns would cease.

“On my instructions we are implementing a new policy that puts an end to spending on takeaway food,” her statement said.

It is understood the new rules will mean that ordering takeaway food to replace standard issue meals will only occur in exceptional circumstances.

Twitter: @Fiona_HS