Teenagers riot again at Parkville

A RIOT at a Melbourne youth detention centre is over after police moved in as inmates tried to break out of a secure area of the prison.

Sources have told the Herald Sun a group of inmates have broken out of one section of the centre Picture: David Smith

A RIOT at a Melbourne youth detention centre is over after police moved in as inmates tried to break out of a secure area of the facility.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands staff had to be evacuated and handed control of Parkville Youth Justice Precinct to Victoria Police to protect their own safety.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that a number of units were last night on the scene to assist with a “disturbance”.

More than 35 police officers were on site, including the critical incident response team, the public order response team, the dog squad, police air wing, uniform police and paramedics.

Sources told the Sunday Herald Sun a group of inmates had broken out of the southern unit of the centre and were trying to force their way into the northern unit, where staff had earlier been moved.

David Stockman, a DHHS spokesman, said: “The incident at the Parkville Youth Justice Centre last night was resolved at approximately 1.20 am.

“There were no injuries to young people, staff or police and at no point was there a threat to the security of the perimeter of the facility.

“Damage to the facility will be assessed with repair work to start as soon as this is completed.

“Victoria Police are investigating the incident.”

The Herald Sun has been told the incident began at around 7.45pm and was resolved by 1.20am.

Seven young people accessed a roof cavity of one unit.

No other young people were involved and the incident was contained to the one unit.

The seven youngsters were moved to Malmsbury and the Grevillea Unit at Barwon jail.

Roller doors to the Parkville youth justice centre open and a member of the dog squad emerges. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/gVyhPvZCol

— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) January 7, 2017

A worker said they felt “threatened” when they saw the fight break out. Another staff member said the fight between the north and south units was “extremely rowdy” .

“It was really bad,” the worker said.

It was the second night in a row teenagers had caused trouble.

An inmate climbed into the roof of the facility on Friday night and smashed ceiling plaster.

DHHS confirmed youth justice staff resolved a “minor incident” on Friday night and there were no injuries.

More public order response police arrive at Parkville. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/ywriEjJaT2

— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) January 7, 2017

The riot is the latest in a string of incidents at youth justice facilities in Victoria.

Up to a dozen youths are at the state’s highest security adult prison, Barwon, after they were moved following a riot in November.

Opposition youth affairs spokeswoman Georgie Crozier last night called for the minister to stand down. “It beggars belief that Minister Jenny Mikakos still hasn’t been sacked by Daniel Andrews,” Ms Crozier said.

“The only thing Jenny Mikakos seems capable of doing successfully is presiding over more and more crises.”

The Herald Sun has previously revealed that the damage bill from riots at Parkville and Malmsbury detention centres over the past two years has reached up to $10 million.

Riots on May 6 and August 17 last year caused extensive damage, including large holes in ceilings and walls, smashed doors and windows and destroyed office equipment.

Last March Parkville was locked down when six teenagers — some armed with metal bars — spent hours on a roof in a stand-off with guards and police.

In August, youths spent hours on a roof at the Parkville Youth Justice Centre, causing lockdowns for the second time that year. In mid-November, youths rioted inside Parkville and 30 inmates trashed their cells.

The next day another incident broke out when youths armed themselves with garden equipment. On November 17, teenagers were transferred to Barwon Prison after the Parkville Youth Justice Centre was damaged.

In late December, the Victorian Government failed in its bid to overturn the decision that said housing youths in Barwon was illegal.

On Tuesday, youths from Parkville riot in Grivellea unit of Barwon prison causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.

Last Friday saw an escape attempt by a teenager inside Parkville. The teen climbed into a roof cavity and made his way through the facility.

This reporter is on Twitter @briannatravers