Teens in standoff with police at Melbourne youth justice centre
OUT-OF-CONTROL teenage inmates have launched a destructive spree on the roof of a youth justice centre.
A STANDOFF between police and out-of-control teenage inmates brandishing metal bars on the roof of the Parkville Youth Justice Centre ended last night when they surrendered after five hours.
The group, some of whom are believed to be in custody for serious crimes including armed robbery, climbed on the roof about 4pm and went on a destructive spree, smashing windows and skylights and tearing apart a chimney and airconditioning units.
The six boys screamed and shouted at riot police on the ground, and one of the teens even waved a shard of glass around, motioning it across his neck.
But it all ended when the last of the six teens climbed down voluntarily about 9.15pm.
It was the second day of mayhem at the centre, which was locked down on Sunday after hammers, pitchforks and metal bars were stolen from a horticulture shed.
One inmate was injured when up to a dozen teen boys turned on him.
Department of Health and Human Services said there would be an inquiry into the security breach.
Centre management insisted the rooftop rampage and Sunday’s riot were not related and involved a different group of inmates.
Staff at the youth corrections centre have complained they can no longer restrain inmates and have been frightened by their behaviour.
Community and Public Sector Union spokesman Julian Kennelly said that a “gang culture” was growing among some of Victoria’s worst child offenders.
Mr Kennelly said staff, many of them new inductees, had been frightened by continuing threats of violence and felt powerless to stop the dangerous behaviour.
“There’s no control. It’s safe to say (the inmates are) out of control,” Mr Kennelly said.
The juvenile centre, which can hold up to 120 youths, has separate units for boys and girls. Most of those detained are boys aged 15-17.
The boys were on top of a building that houses an education centre, basketball court and swimming pool throughout the standoff.
The rampage began on Sunday when a group of inmates were allowed out of their unit for recreation time.
They bolted and climbed onto the horticulture centre roof before being joined by youths from another unit.
Another five teens then broke free from their rooms and joined in the disturbance.
It’s believed the group then turned on one of its own, beating a young boy.
“It was impossible for the staff to restrain them,” Mr Kennelly said.
Officers armed with riot shields surrounded the centre and a police helicopter hovered overhead.
Staff have complained they did not feel safe. Rates of absenteeism are on the rise.
The union said the centre was not equipped to deal with inmates’ complex mental health and welfare needs, including drug rehabilitation.
Overcrowding made it more difficult to control inmates.
In January, the Herald Sun revealed the Parkville centre and another in Malmsbury would come under scrutiny from the Commissioner for Children and Young People.
He will investigate allegations of sexual assault, injuries requiring hospital admissions, and major incidents, such as brawls and escapes.
Originally published as Teens in standoff with police at Melbourne youth justice centre
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