‘It’s not punishment’: Minister promises Ashley will soon re-emerge from 23-hour lockdowns

The troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre has been plunged into yet another 23-hour lockdown. But the government has promised the “unfortunate” situation is short-term.

CHILDREN and youth Minister Roger Jaensch has promised the troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre will soon re-emerge from yet another round of 23-hour lockdowns.

Mr Jaensch said “fluctuating staff levels” and a “higher than usual number of young people” meant the facility was currently unable to maintain its ratio of staff to residents.

“To ensure everyone’s safety, we have to manage the time they’re spending outside their rooms under supervision so that everybody can be kept safe,” he said on Monday.

“It’s not punishment – it’s unfortunate, and it’s also short term.”

Mr Jaensch said more staff members for Ashley were currently being recruited, trained and inducted “as we speak”.

“It’s not punishment – it’s unfortunate, and it’s also short term.” Minister for Education, Children and Youth Roger Jaensch on 23-hour lockdown at Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Picture: David Killick.

“As soon as we can, we’ll be able to open up the programs again so the young people get the full benefit of the education, recreation and other services that they normally would have there.”

Mr Jaensch said he couldn’t say how many children were currently being detained at Ashley.

He also said that training new staff took time. Staff with experience needed “induction into the Ashley model” while inexperienced staff members couldn’t be fully deployed “until they have been trained in the hands-on aspects of working with those young people”.

He also said some staff members were currently on leave due to the tough nature of the work.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said revelations that children were spending 23 hours a day in their rooms were “disturbing and distressing”.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said the latest Ashley revelations were “disturbing and distressing.” Picture: David Killick

“After weeks of constant lockdowns in July and August, the Premier and Minister for Children assured the community they had resolved the staffing issues at Ashley. We now know this claim was false,” she said.

“Child psychologists have highlighted how sustained lockdowns can cause damaging, long-term effects on children. By allowing this situation to occur repeatedly, the government is yet again failing children at Ashley, and is placing them in harm’s way.”

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