Ashley Youth Detention Centre likely to close in 2027 as new facility unveiled
Masterplan revealed for the new facility set to replace the troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre, that is set to open six years after its closure was first flagged.
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The replacement for the troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre is expected to open in 2027, the state government announced on Monday, six year after its closure was first flagged.
Minister for Children and Young People Roger Jaensch unveiled the masterplan for the new Pontville facility, that will house up to 20 young people in “home-like conditions”, on Monday.
Then-Premier Peter Gutwein promised in 2021 that Ashley would close within three years.
The Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse in Tasmanian government institutions recommended Ashley’s closure as a matter of urgency in 2023 because of its shocking record of human rights abuses over more than a century of operation.
And earlier this year, the state government agreed to pay $75m to 129 former Ashley detainees to settle a class action claim over physical, sexual and psychological abuse at the facility between 1969 and 2021.
Mr Jaensch said the government remained committed to the closure of Ashley “as soon as possible”.
“Very clearly, we do not intend to close the Ashley Youth Detention Centre and replace it with something which looks and works the same as Ashley,” Mr Jaensch said.
“The new facility’s design focuses on supporting the education and other services young people need to live positive lives and avoid reoffending when they return to the community,”
“The Tasmanian Government is investing in diversion and early intervention programs to reduce offending, and this facility will play an important role in supporting rehabilitation and keeping the community safe.”
Mr Jaensch said the Youth Justice Facility Development Bill that will be tabled in parliament on Tuesday would ensure the new site would be progressed “in the fastest possible timeline”.
“This Bill will ensure the facility can be delivered in 2027. Without it, the project could be delayed for a further 12 months or prevented from proceeding at all,” he said.
The Liberal minority government has been talking tough on youth crime in recent weeks amid an uptick in youth crime in Glenorchy.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Friday said that despite considering “adult time for adult crime” laws, the government was also committed to more policies backed by research.
“We’re committed to the youth justice blueprint, I want to make that very clear,” he said.
“But what we’re talking here is an opportunity and a decision to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.
“What we’re talking about when it comes to sentencing and bail laws to ensure that repeat offenders with violent crimes are held accountable.”
Green leader Rosalie Woodruff said Ashley’s closure was still too far away.
“What the government’s announcing is pushing back the closure of Ashley until 2027.
“That is a shameful situation, especially given that there are tough-on-crime policies are driving more young people into Ashley Youth Detention Center, a place that we know is still unsafe for young people.
“We’re deeply concerned that the government is not taking more urgent action on closing Ashley and we will continue to fight for them for the children to be out of Ashley as soon as possible.”
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