Ashley Youth Detention Centre was meant to be closed by September 2024

The minister responsible for overseeing youth detention has appeared at a parliamentary inquiry. See what he said about the timeline to close Ashley >>

Ashley Youth Detention Centre. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

The minister responsible for overseeing youth detention says Tasmania’s troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre is unlikely to close as planned by September next year.

Education, Children and Youth Minister Roger Jaensch provided an updated timeline around the youth detention reforms to a Legislative Council inquiry into adult imprisonment and youth detention matters.

Mr Jaensch said since former Premier Peter Gutwein announced a three year timeframe to close Ashley in September 2021, further advice had been provided on the best model.

The Deloraine detention centre will be replaced by a smaller detention/remand centre in the state’s south; two assisted bail facilities, one in the north or north-west and one in the south; as well as two supported residential facilities, one in the north or north-west of the state and one in the south.

Mr Jaensch said there was “close to universal support” for the government’s plan.

“There now appear to be better ways than converting a larger Ashley into two smaller Ashleys,” he said.

“Delivering this more sophisticated, better practice model may take more time. While we’ve remained committed to the ambition of closing Ashley as soon as possible and 2024 was the date (indicated), we believe that’s going to have to be updated. What I don’t want to do is issue another political deadline.”

Education, Children and Youth Minister Roger Jaensch appears before a Legislative Council inquiry into adult imprisonment and youth detention

Mr Jaensch said he would be in a position to provide an updated timeline for closing Ashley in the coming months, after the site for the smaller southern centre was identified.

The two options for the southern detention centre are a site on Brighton Rd between Pontville and Mangalore, and a site on East Derwent Highway overlooking the Bowen Bridge.

Corrections Minister Elise Archer also appeared before the committee on Thursday to answer questions about Risdon Prison.

Mr Archer shared committee members’ concerns about a shortfall in mental health services at the prison.

She said health services were provided by the Department of Health and it could be a battle to get the necessary resources.

“I can tell you it’s very frustrating at times,” Ms Archer said.

Risdon Prison. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Also during the hearings, Health and Community Services Union assistant state secretary Lucas Digney raised concerns about staff mental health.

“In the prison and youth detention those staff are exposed to vicarious trauma every single day, every single minute. The departments they work for refuse to recognise that,” he said.

Conservative think tank the Institute of Public Affairs also gave evidence on the “unnecessary incarceration” of non-violent offenders in Tasmania.

The IPA said Tasmania’s incarceration rate had increased by 18 per cent since 2015, more than three times the national average.

The IPA suggested Tasmania should follow the lead of conservative US states such as Texas and Georgia which have found alternative programs for non-violent offenders.

These included financial sanctions, technological incarceration, restitution orders and work programs.